Antimatter captured in scientific breakthrough

ANTIMATTER has been captured for the first time in a scientific breakthrough echoing the hit movie Angels & Demons.

But the 38 atoms of anti-hydrogen trapped by scientists for one sixth of a second would hardly pose a threat to the Vatican. Nor could they drive a starship, as depicted in Star Trek. However, the particles might help physicists further understand the nature and origins of the universe.

Antimatter is ordinary matter in reverse. Atoms normally consist of positively charged nuclei and negatively charged orbiting electrons. Their antimatter counterparts have negatively charged nuclei and positively charged electrons.