Scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cern) say they have recorded neutrino particles travelling faster than the speed of light.
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If confirmed, the scientists’ findings would challenge one of the fundamental rules of physics, and a key part of Albert Einstein’s theory of special relativity which says that nothing in the universe can travel faster than the speed of light.
Antonio Ereditato, who works at the particle physics centre of the Geneva-based organisation, said measurements over three years showed the neutrinos moving 60 nanoseconds faster than light over a distance of 730km between Geneva and Gran Sasso, Italy.
“We have high confidence in our results. But we need other colleagues to do their tests and confirm them,” Ereditato said.
The scientists are asking others to independently verify the results, or to find other explanations for the speed measured.
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