Ankara:Francis Halzen, the Belgian-American scientist, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work with the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos originating from space.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized Halzen for his decisive contributions to the field. Mark Pearce, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, praised Halzen's leadership of an international team that developed a groundbreaking scientific instrument, enabling a new form of astronomy.

Born in Tienen, Belgium, Halzen pursued studies in mathematics and physics at KU Leuven, completing his doctorate in 1969. After a stint at CERN, he moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1972, where he has remained for over fifty years. His career has focused on particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology.

In the mid-1980s, Halzen shifted his focus to neutrinos, elusive particles that can pass through matter without being absorbed. He believed that studying these 'ghost particles' could reveal hidden aspects of the universe.

In 1987, Halzen began developing the Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array (AMANDA) to test deep ice as a particle detector. This work laid the groundwork for the larger IceCube observatory, which began construction in 2004. The observatory, which became fully operational in 2011, consists of 5,160 optical sensors embedded in Antarctic ice.

IceCube's significant breakthrough occurred in 2013 with the detection of high-energy neutrinos from beyond the solar system. In 2017, IceCube identified a neutrino linked to a distant galaxy, marking a milestone in neutrino astronomy.

Halzen's numerous accolades before the Nobel include the Balzan Prize and the American Physical Society's 2026 Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research. At 82, Halzen was in Italy when he received news of the Nobel Prize, which includes a reward of 12 million Swedish kronor, or approximately $1.2 million.