China Is Beating the US in the Race to Map Mysterious Ghost Particles
A giant orb deep underground could unlock the secrets of the universe, and cement China’s status as a scientific superpower.
Illustration: Maggie Cowles for Bloomberg
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In a cavern deep beneath the ground in southern China, scientists are feverishly putting the final touches on a 600-ton sphere that could solve the biggest mysteries of the universe.
Secured by safety harnesses and ropes, dozens of workers are dotted across the surface of the 12-story, steel-plated acrylic ball. The noise from their riveting and drilling echoes around the subterranean chamber.