Using muons to map underground Jerusalem

[DBS]

https://www.timesofisrael.com/unable-to-dig-researchers-look-to-cosmic-rays-to-unlock-jerusalems-ancient-underworld/

[Ian61]

I understand the theory here but am not well enough up on my physics to get an appreciation of how well this would work. I had thought from things I have seen and read in the past that they don't detect that many of this type of particle, certainly when compared to the vast numbers of photons involved in normal photograph so resolution will be surely quite low and involve a lot of data merging. Anyone know enough to clarify?

Years ago I helped build several radio telescopes - you point them at a bit of the sky and jump for joy if you get a decent blip as Cygnus passes over! You can slowly build up a map of the sky but it is certainly not quick and I expect their detectors are on the same sort of level detection wise.

[Nick Harbud]

One wonders whether this technology is being used to map underground tunnels elsewhere.  For instance, in Gaza.  

Doubtless the engineers of the Milano underground could have benefited when routing their railway tunnels near the Castello Sforzesco.  As it happened, they came across several secret escape tunnels constructed by various Sforza dukes who firmly believed that simply because one is paranoid does not mean that people are not out to get you.

 

[Erpingham]

One wonders whether this technology is being used to map underground tunnels elsewhere.  For instance, in Gaza.  

It is suggested in the article but I don't think it would be very practical.  You need to get below the tunnel for it to work, ideally it shouldn't be disturbed (e.g. shaken by bombing) and it takes months to get a sufficiently clear result.

[DBS]

Given that the Times of Israel has otherwise reported extensively on the involvement of ancient archaeological specialists in the Gaza conflict - especially on forensic identification of human remains - I suspect not, over and above the excellent reasons offered by Anthony.

There was also a piece the other day about a young IDF soldier, on leave for the first time since the war kicked off, finding a semi-precious Assyrian seal stone whilst on a hike in the hills.  Scarab like "beetle" shape on one side, winged horse or griffin on the the other.