Aphelion Issue 301, Volume 28
December 2024 / January 2025
 
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Exotic New Particle

by Mike Berger


The laboratory was two miles deep in the
earth. Two dozen scientist roam its
convoluted labyrinths. The center of
attention was the experimental room.
A vertical shaft led to the surface. When
the massive shield was drawn back,
cosmic rays poured in.

The rays were focused on a dozen kitty
cats. After a thousand hours of exposure,
samples of the kittens' DNA were
extracted. Samples were placed in the
accelerator. Around the circular track
they flew at near the speed of light.
They smashed into an incredibly
sensitive detector.

The search was on for a new exotic
particle. It was more massive than a
boson. Trial after trial the experiments
showed nothing. Then a call went out
for everyone to assemble. There on
the photographic plates were telltale
signs. A great cheer went up. After a
brief discussion they decided to call the
new particle, meow-ons.


© 2010 Mike Berger

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