The Helium and Lead Observatory (HALO) is a dedicated supernova neutrino detector that is presently under construction underground at SNOLAB in the Creighton Mine in Sudbury Ontario Canada.
It uses 79 tonnes of annular lead blocks instrumented with 128 tubular Helium-3 neutron detectors to detect neutrinos from supernovae within our galaxy. As a part of the worldwide Supernova Early Warning System (SNEWS), it will help detect supernovae by their neutrino burst, before their light reaches Earth, allowing time to notify both professional and amateur astronomers.
Click here, for calibration source logs.
May 8, 2012
First operation of the Helium and Lead Observatory
The Helium and Lead Observatory began acquiring data from 128 helium proportional counters, on 64 channels. Much work remains, but we're very happy to say we have an active detector!
October 15, 2010
Neutron Counter Relocation
The first of two NCD racks was completed this week. A team of 6 relocated approximately half of the Helium-3 neutron counters to the HALO drift from the SNO control room.
August 4, 2010
Taylor Shantz Defends M.Sc. Thesis
HALO's first graduate student successfully defended her Master's Thesis on the "Design and Construction of the Helium and Lead Observatory for Supernova Neutrinos." She will graduate this fall.