The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Francis Halzen, a Belgian physicist who specializes in particle physics, on Tuesday, October 6. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences stated that the prize was awarded "for his decisive contributions to the IceCube neutrino observatory and the discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos." His work "could even reveal cosmic phenomena previously unknown," the organization stated on its website. The IceCube neutrino observatory is a massive scientific project located at the South Pole, designed to detect neutrinos—subatomic particles that are notoriously difficult to observe. These particles can provide important clues about the most energetic processes in the universe, such as supernovas and black holes. This year's award is the second of the season, following the Medicine Prize, which was awarded on Monday to an American-German trio for their research aiming to uncover the mysteries of the brain. Between 1901 and 2026, the Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded 120 times, to a total of 231 laureates. The Nobel Prizes in Chemistry will be announced on Wednesday morning, Literature on Thursday afternoon, Peace on Friday, and Economics on October 12 in the morning. Francis Halzen now joins the ranks of previous Nobel laureates in Physics, succeeding the trio composed of the British John Clarke, the American John M. Martinis, and the French Michel Devoret, who were awarded last year for their experiments on quantum physics. Their work focused on developing technologies that could manipulate quantum states, potentially leading to advances in computing and communication. Halzen's research, on the other hand, has deepened our understanding of the universe through the study of neutrinos. The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually in several categories, with each prize recognizing outstanding contributions to humanity in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, and economics. The awards are based on the work of individuals or groups who have made significant advances in their respective fields, often with long-term impacts on science and society.