Limits on radiative decays of solar neutrinos from a measurement during a solar eclipse

TL;DR

This study attempted to detect visible photons from solar neutrino decays during a 1999 solar eclipse, but weather issues prevented data collection, leading to analysis of available images and setting limits on neutrino decay lifetimes.

Contribution

First attempt to set experimental limits on radiative solar neutrino decays using eclipse observations, despite weather-related data collection challenges.

Findings

No definitive detection of radiative neutrino decays.

Established upper limits on neutrino decay lifetime.

Demonstrated feasibility of eclipse-based neutrino decay searches.

Abstract

A search for possible radiative decays of solar neutrinos with emission of photons in the visible range was performed during the total solar eclipse of August 11, 1999. Due to very bad weather conditions our two telescopes were unable to collect useful data; fortunately we obtained several video camera images from a local TV station. An analysis of the digitised images is presented and limits on the lifetime for radiative decay are discussed.