It’s time to circle a particle beam through the Large Hadron Collider

By William Atkins
Tuesday, 02 September 2008 21:39

Science - Energy

On September 12, 2008, CERN’s Large Hadron Collider is scheduled to turn on so that the first high-intensity particle beam can be injected and circulated throughout the entire ringed system of the LHC. Good luck, guys, the world is watching.



Some of the world is watching with apprehension, and others are looking on with conviction that the world's largest particle accelerator will produce exciting new discoveries in science.

(Here is a rational discussion on both sides about the safety/danger from the LHC: MSNBC "Doomsday fears spark lawsuit")

On September 12, 2008, CERN’s Large Hadron Collider is scheduled to turn on so that the first high-intensity proton particle beam can be injected and circulated throughout the entire ringed system of the LHC.

(How does the LHC work?)

As said, this is a single beam of particles. No collisions will occur because two beams will not be injected for a few more months. It is basically a test to assure all is functioning properly.

According to the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) website, the first injection of a particle beam is scheduled for 9:30 CET (Central European Time) on Friday, or 7:30 a.m. UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), or 3:30 a.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)

A satellite uplink will be provided by Eurovision throughout the activities of the day.

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s most energetic particle accelerator, will go to full power sometime in the year 2010. At that time, it will produce energy thirty (30) times more intense than any other machine on Earth.

Between 2008 and 2010, the LHC will be powered up so that it will be about seven (7) times more energetic than any other machine here on Earth.

The process to "turn on" the Large Hadron Collider is found on page two.