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December 2, 2008 8:21:14 PM CST

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Supercollider 'Beautiful' So Far, Scientists Say

Posted Sep 10, 08 5:50 PM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Scientists working with the massive atom-smasher buried under the French-Swiss border have already “seen some beautiful tracks coming off” the beams of protons circling the 17-mile loop, Bloomberg reports. “Things can go wrong at any time, but luckily this morning everything went smoothly,” one scientist told National Geographic. With the first test behind them, scientists will now gradually ramp up the experiments.

The first serious collision of protons is probably still weeks away. Researchers hope to bash them together with enough force to replicate the Big Bang and maybe unravel some age-old mysteries. Regardless of how that plays out, today's test marked a huge milestone in physics. “First of all, I didn't believe it,” said one observer. “I had to see it a second time, and I thought, ‘Oh, wow, it actually worked.’”

Sources Bloomberg, National Geographic

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Scientists watch computer screens showing traces on Atlas experiment of the first protons injected in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) during its switch-on operation today near Geneva, Switzerland.   (AP Photo)
A scientist checks a computer screen after the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was switched on today.   (AP Photo)
This 2007 file photo shows a view of the LHC (large hadron collider) in its tunnel at CERN (European particle physics laboratory) near Geneva, Switzerland.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini, File)
A European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) scientist controls a computer screen showing today's test results.   (AP Photo)
European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) scientists are seen at the CERN's control center today.   (AP Photo)
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It might turn out to be like the 1950s, when we were discovering many new particles and had no clue about how they fit into a coherent picture. - Michael Peskin, particle physicist

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Switzerland • Large Hadron Collider • Big Bang • Higgs boson • God particle


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