In 2015, physics is standing on a bridge between the old world and the new. The good ol’ Standard Model, a set of equations that explains much, but lucky for us not *all*, of the physical workings of the universe, has been proven correct again and again, to an astounding degree of accuracy.
Plenty of rumblings are afoot though, as physicists (and their groupies) stand salivating—eager, desperate, for beyond-the-Standard-Model explanations. What’s behind the dark matter holding galaxies together? The dark energy mysteriously accelerating universal expansion? Or the strange loss of all the antimatter following the Big Bang?
This year saw new and upgraded instruments come online. Scientists witnessed neutrinos changing their flavor, mid-dance. They kept their fingers crossed that Einstein’s predictions will, once again, be proven true. They cheered that SETI will continue to search for aliens. And they were excited to hear about new experiments, just floating into view.