NEUTRINO ASTRONOMY AT THE SOUTH POLE

Abstract

The origin of highest energy cosmic rays remains unresolved. High-energy neutrinos may provide the clues to fundamental phenomena such as the origin of cosmic rays or dark matter in the Universe. The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a km scale neutrino detector, has come into full operation in 2011. At the highest energy levels, prototypes of a new experiment, the Askaryan Radio Array, have been deployed and are being tested. We report on the status, first results and prospects of the experimental neutrino searches under way and planned at the South Pole.