In the context of modern scientific research, consider the following statements about IceCube', a particle detector located at South Pole, which was recently in the news : 1. It is the world's largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice. 2. It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter. 3. It is buried deep in the ice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Gives the enormous areal scale of Antarctica (14 million km² and 90% of terrestrial ice), showing the continent contains vast amounts of ice volume.

A student could combine this large area with a plausible range of ice thickness (from basic external maps/ice-thickness data) to judge whether a 1 km³ instrumented volume is a tiny fraction and therefore physically plausible on the continent.

States Antarctica is covered by a single enormous ice sheet and describes coastal ice-shelf features, indicating substantial continuous ice suitable for in-ice detectors.

One could use the concept of a continuous ice sheet to infer that drilling/embedding instruments into a contiguous block of ice of order cubic kilometres is feasible given typical ice-sheet extents.

Reports very large iceberg/shelf fragment sizes (example: 11,000 km² iceberg), illustrating the scale at which Antarctic ice exists in contiguous volumes/areas.

Comparing an 11,000 km² area (from snippet) to the 1 km³ volume, a student could note that even modest ice thicknesses across small areas easily yield cubic-kilometre volumes, supporting plausibility.

Defines Antarctica geographically (land and ice-shelves south of 60°S) and notes it is designated a scientific reserve, implying major scientific installations are sited there.

Knowing the South Pole lies within this region, a student could combine the treaty's emphasis on science with maps to locate where a large ice-based detector might be placed on the Antarctic ice sheet.

Describes the ice-cap climate of interior Antarctica where temperatures remain below freezing and snow/ice accumulate into thick ice sheets.

Using the idea of thick, persistent interior ice, a student could infer that drilling or embedding instrumentation into multi-hundred-to-thousand-metre-thick ice (sufficient to create 1 km³ volumes) is consistent with Antarctic conditions.

Notes that pack ice and icebergs occur year-round south of ~65°S and that the Antarctic region is distinct from other oceans—establishes the presence of extensive, stable Antarctic ice cover near the pole.

A student could combine this with the basic fact that IceCube uses a cubic-kilometre of Antarctic ice as its detection medium to compare its instrumented volume with other neutrino observatories worldwide.

Explains how to identify the geographic poles and latitudes, giving a clear geographic anchor for 'South Pole' as a fixed location on Earth.

Using a world map, a student can locate the South Pole and then list installations there (e.g., research stations, large detectors) to check whether a major neutrino detector is sited at that location.

Describes the strong, persistent polar vortex and distinct atmospheric conditions in the Southern Hemisphere winter, highlighting Antarctic environmental uniqueness.

A student might infer that the extreme and stable Antarctic environment permits large in-ice detector deployments (less human activity, deep stable ice) and thus weigh plausibility that a very large detector could be built there.

States dark matter is invisible to electromagnetic radiation and thus must be sought by non‑EM interactions or gravitational effects.

A student could use this to infer that detectors sensitive to non‑EM signals (e.g., particles produced by dark‑matter interactions) are plausible tools to search for dark matter.

Explains that observational cosmology uses instruments detecting non‑optical signals (the CMB in microwaves), showing telescopes can operate outside visible light.

One could extend this to ask whether a detector that senses non‑EM messengers (like neutrinos or other particles) can function as a 'telescope' to look for dark‑matter signatures.

Discusses the concept and types of telescopes (optical/reflection), establishing that the term 'telescope' can apply to instruments that collect signals.

A student might generalise 'telescope' to include instruments that collect non‑photon signals and then check if a particle detector fits that usage.

Notes the South Pole's extreme polar conditions and long periods of darkness/brightness, identifying the South Pole as a distinct observation location on Earth.

A student could combine this geographic fact with knowledge that some large scientific detectors are located at the South Pole to evaluate whether a particle detector there could serve observational (telescope‑like) purposes.

Gives precise modern statements about the South Pole/magnetic pole location, reinforcing that the Antarctic region is a specific, well‑mapped location for installations.

One could use a world map or facility lists for Antarctica to check whether a particle detector exists at the South Pole and whether it is used to observe non‑EM signals possibly linked to dark matter.

Mentions 'deep ice cores' as an Antarctic research tool, showing scientists routinely access and study deep ice layers.

A student could infer that if deep ice cores are drilled and instruments placed in ice, then detectors could likewise be installed within ice; verify by checking technical descriptions of IceCube or drilling activities at the South Pole.

States Antarctica is covered by a single enormous ice sheet with edges forming shelves and cliffs, indicating extensive and thick ice cover.

Combine this with the geographic fact that the South Pole sits on the Antarctic ice sheet to judge whether there is enough ice to bury a detector.

Describes central domes of ice caps from which ice creeps outward, implying significant vertical ice accumulation at continental interiors (where the pole lies).

A student can extend this to infer the interior (including the pole) has substantial ice thickness suitable for embedding long vertical instrumentation.

Notes the Antarctic ice sheet's potential to raise sea level by about 70 meters if it melted, implying very large total ice volume/thickness.

Using the implication of very large ice volume, a student could conclude the continent has sufficient depth to host buried detectors and then seek specific site/thickness data for the South Pole.