ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Radiohalo

Have you ever heard of a radiohalo? It's like a special type of circle that we can't see with our eyes, but we can find it using special tools called detectors.

You know how you can see rainbows when the sun comes out after it's been raining? Well, scientists have found something similar to a rainbow in rocks. But instead of colors, they see tiny circles of radiation that are also known as "halos."

These halos are caused by tiny particles called "alpha particles" that travel through the rocks and leave behind trails of radiation. Over time, the radiation from the alpha particles changes the chemical makeup of the rock, creating these circular patterns that can be detected with special tools.

Now, some rocks also have something called "radioactive elements" in them, which means they give off radiation all the time. When these rocks are exposed to the alpha particles, they create even stronger radiation, and this extra radiation is what we call a radiohalo.

Scientists study radiohalos because they can tell us a lot about the history of the rocks they are found in. For example, radiohalos can be used to date rocks and figure out how long ago they were formed. Scientists can also use radiohalos to study how rocks were formed and how they've changed over time.

So, in simple terms, a radiohalo is a type of circle made by radiation in rocks, and scientists use it to learn more about the history of the rocks.