Wide Angle: Antimatter

An antimatter bomb is center stage in the Angels & Demons movie and book -- but what is antimatter and what can it tell us about the universe?
 

Particle-ular Puzzle

antimatter universe anti matter particle collision
Antimatter has fought a losing battle since the beginning of the universe, even though there should be just as much of it around as regular matter. Scientists are turning to particle physics to search for clues. Credit: CERN
 

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Science fiction loves to borrow from science fact, especially when it comes to antimatter. Case in point: Angels & Demons, a best-selling novel by Dan Brown now adapted into a movie.

One of the plot's core elements in both works is an antimatter bomb -- a theoretical device that could pack a nuclear warhead's worth of punch in a tiny package.

But is it possibly to design an antimatter bomb, and what is antimatter anyway? Moreover, what secrets might it hold about the origin of the universe? Get the scoop in this Wide Angle.

  • News: Antimatter Scout to Hitch Last Shuttle Ride
    The International Space Station's crowning glory is set to be an antimatter-hunting device called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

  • Top 10: Things You Didn't Know About Antimatter
    How is antimatter made? And what's it good for? HowStuffWorks.com gives you the skinny on matter's counterpart.

  • Opinion: Plot Device of Mass Destruction
    Antimatter. The word might sound scary, but is there really anything to fear? A Brookhaven National Laboratory physicist gives his take.

  • Interview: Antimatter Spaceships
    Spacecraft powered by antimatter aren't just within the realm of Star Trek science fiction -- they're theoretically possible. We chat with an expert.

  • Blog: CERN Ready for its Close-Up
    Jennifer Ouellette of Twisted Physics takes us behind the scenes at CERN, the particle physics lab where the antimatter bomb in Angels & Demons is created.

  • Video: Antimatter Rocket Ship
    Could antimatter power the next generation of spaceships bound for Mars and other planets? Watch this video to find out.

  • HowStuffWorks: Antimatter
    How do we know about antimatter, and where does it come from? Get educated at HowStuffWorks.com.

Got something to say? E-mail your questions, comments or concerns to discoveryspace@discovery.com.

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