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'God Machine' Warming Up for 2nd Startup in Dec.

Large Hadron Collider is ready to roll after a year of repairs

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2009 9:14 AM CST
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(Newser) – The Large Hadron Collider is ready to start smashing particles together again, equipment, the laws of nature, and the Almighty permitting. The $9 billion particle accelerator has been fully repaired after a short circuit put it out of action for more than a year, and should be ready to roll come Christmastime. Scientists have begun firing protons around one section, once again eagerly awaiting proof of the existence of the Higgs boson or "God particle," although a few argue that the short circuit may foreshadow further problems, including sabotage—from the future.

The creation of the Higgs boson may be so“abhorrent to nature” that it would ripple back in time to destroy itself like a time traveler killing his own grandfather, a pair of physicists argued recently. They suggested the failure of the collider and earlier projects might even be proof of the existence of God. Some others suggest that the project could spawn planet-destroying black holes. Just as scarily, the Los Angeles Times notes, a physicist working on the project was arrested for allegedly having al-Qaeda links last month.

In this file photo dated May 31, 2007, part of th Large Hadron Collider is seen in its tunnel at the European Center for Nuclear Research.
In this file photo dated May 31, 2007, part of th Large Hadron Collider is seen in its tunnel at the European Center for Nuclear Research.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini, File)
This March 22, 2007 file photo shows the magnet core of the world's largest superconducting solenoid magnet at the European Organization for Nuclear Research's Large Hadron Collider.
This March 22, 2007 file photo shows the magnet core of the world's largest superconducting solenoid magnet at the European Organization for Nuclear Research's Large Hadron Collider.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini )
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Physicists suggest particle may be sabotaging itself
New York Times

 
particle accelerator • physics • big bang • CERN • Large Hadron Collider • Higgs boson • God particle

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