ScienceJune 30, 2026
muon
/ˈmjuːɒn/
Definition
An unstable subatomic particle similar to an electron but with a much greater mass, frequently used in specialized detectors to study cosmic rays.
Etymology
The word is a combination of the Greek letter 'mu' (μ)—used in physics to represent the particle—and the suffix '-on' from 'electron'. It was coined in the late 1940s to describe this newly discovered particle.
In the news
The article mentions muon detectors as a tool that is democratizing public access to cosmic-ray experiments. This highlights the growing availability of specialized scientific equipment for citizen science.
THE WEEK OF JUNE 29, 2026
Read the full article ↗AIP.ORG