The Nobel Prize in Physics goes to the Belgian Francis Halzen for his discoveries in astrophysics

The Nobel Prize Committee announced on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) that Belgian physicist Francis Halzen has won the Nobel Prize in Physics in recognition of his work related to subatomic particles in Antarctica.

The committee stated that Halzen was honored "for his decisive contributions to the Ice Cube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin."

The prize was awarded last year to quantum physicists John Clarke from the United Kingdom, Michel Desvores from France, and John Martinez from the United States.

The Nobel Prizes go back to Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), inventor of dynamite and founder of the prizes. Nobel stipulated in his will that prizes be awarded to those who, during the previous year, provided the greatest benefit to humanity in the various prize categories.