Exploring the Cosmic Connection: Elise Wagner and the Omega-Minus First Observation
Omega-minus, First Observation
Bubble chamber picture of the first observed omega-minus particle --discovered in 1964 by a team of physicists from Brookhaven, the University of Rochester and Syracuse University, led by Nicholas Samios of Brookhaven, using the 80-inch bubble chamber at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS).
The omega-minus, a baryon composed of three strange quarks, is a classic example of the need for the property called "color" in describing particles.
By Ren Allen
As an art enthusiast, I am continually inspired by the ways in which artists weave complex concepts into their work. One such artist, is our resident artist at Pier 11 Studio, Elise Wagner, whose exploration of the Omega-minus first observation has captivated my imagination. This baryon, composed of strange quarks, is not merely a scientific curiosity; it serves as a profound metaphor for the mysteries of the universe and the intricate dance of matter and energy.
High Energy Physics explores what the world is made of and how it works at both the smallest and largest scales, seeking new discoveries from the tiniest particles to the outer reaches of space. It is inspired by some of the biggest questions about our universe: What is it made of? What forces govern it? How did it become the way it is today? As with her latest series of paintings titled, Frequencies, from the exhibition Familiar Elements: Visible & Invisible, the thematic elements of Wagner’s work asks these same questions.
