STAR Experiment

The STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider studies how matter behaves under extreme conditions similar to those just after the Big Bang. It accelerates heavy ions to nearly the speed of light and smashes them together, creating extremely hot and dense environments. By analyzing the particles produced in these collisions, STAR helps scientists understand the fundamental properties of quark-gluon plasma—a state of matter where quarks and gluons, normally confined inside protons and neutrons, move freely. This research provides insights into the early universe and the fundamental forces that shape matter.