High-Energy Neutrinos from the Universe

Cosmic high-energy neutrinos, observed up to 10^17 eV in energy, are unique messengers from the most extreme astrophysical phenomena in our universe. They also serve as complimentary probes of fundamental physics. These neutrinos are detected by large-scale instruments deployed in harsh environments such as the polar ice caps or the deep sea, using the natural medium as target for the neutrino interactions.  

In this talk, I will describe the neutrino telescopes currently in operation, with a focus on today’s most sensitive instruments: IceCube at the South Pole and KM3NeT in the Mediterranean Sea. A summary of recent scientific highlights will follow. They include the first strong evidence for an extragalactic neutrino source, the first detection of the Galactic plane in neutrinos, and the first observation of a neutrino with an energy of O(100 PeV). Finally, I will offer an outlook on the future of the young field of neutrino astronomy, introducing next-generation instruments that are currently being planned or constructed.