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Scientists 'very relieved' after flawless test of Hadron particle collider
Terry Kirby10.09.08
Scientists were celebrating today as the massive experiment to recreate the Big Bang worked "flawlessly".
Researchers in Geneva began sending test protons into the Large Hadron Collider at 8.30am, expecting it to take several hours before the system was fully up and running. However, just an hour later there were jubilant scenes as the £5billion project sprang to life.
Researchers successfully sent a stream of protons around the full circle of the LHC's 27km-long tunnel for the first time, passing through all the sensors.
Eventually they hope to send a second particle beam in the opposite direction at close to the speed of light, causing a collision that will recreate the conditions just after the Big Bang.
"That's beautiful!" exclaimed Lyn Evans, the Welshman who is the director of the Cern project in Geneva. He was quick to thank the 15,000 scientists who have contributed. "Thank you, thank you everyone," he said as a tiny white dot appeared on a monitor, signifying the Atlas sensor, the final in the circle, had spotted a particle. "There it is, we had a very good start-up."
In London, scientists involved in the project gathered in Westminster Central Hall to watch a live feed from Cern's control room. The room erupted in cheers as news of the success was announced. "It has all worked flawlessly, and far faster than we had dreamed of," said Professor Jonathan Butterworth of UCL, the London researcher in charge of the Atlas sensor, the LHC's biggest experiment. "We're all very relieved, and now we can't wait to get started on the science. This is really just the beginning for us all, and I can't wait to start looking at the data we are getting."
Researchers were spending the rest of the day firing a beam around the ring in the opposite direction. In about four weeks, they will conduct the first collision, before gradually increasing the speed of the beams in the LHC. It is expected to be working at full speed by Christmas.
The LHC caused controversy after critics claimed it would cause a black hole to form, effectively ending the world. They feared it could have led to an explosion so massive it could instantly destroy the Earth, with all the remaining material sucked into an infinitesimally small space.
Professor Jordan Nash, an Imperial College scientist involved in the project, said it was near to impossible to imagine a black hole being created. Even if it did, it would be a minuscule version of the cosmic phenomena which occur when giant stars collapse in on themselves. Also, if tiny black holes could be created, they would evaporate in a flash of gamma radiation, instead of sucking in mass.
"If we were to create a black hole, which we are certain will not happen, it would be a very tiny one, smaller than a cell in your body," he said.
"Overall we are ecstatic by the progress. Everything worked exactly as we hoped. I can't wait to get over there and start the real work now."
Bookmaker William Hill took £119 from people betting the world would end. "Some may say it is a bet we can never lose, for the obvious reason that we won't be here to pay out should it happen," said spokesman Graham Sharpe.
Reader views (33)
The Big Bang's not all it's blown up to be
A 'blast from the past' none did ever see
And yet we are told its reality
Although the theory's not proven at all
So they hope to find the 'God particle'
A.K.A. the Higgs Boson particle
And then they will publish an article
Although they'll give no praise to God at all
Because "In the beginning" they'll have seen
Using their back to the future machine
Creation's earliest moments have been
Created with no Creator at all
Though He spoke from the whirlwind when He asked
Job tough questions with which he was hard tasked
To answer in wisdom and was unmasked
As no equal to God's wisdom at all
Oh if only the Lord knew of these men
With their brilliant scientific ken
There would certainly be no reason then
To utter the words, 'Let there be' at all
For this they are willingly ignorant
That the heavens by God's word existent
In and out of water earth consistent
The Great Flood left no flesh living at all
For all but eight righteous ones had been saved
Built the ark whilst jeering mockers behaved
In a way that was totally depraved
Heeding Noah's dire warnings not at all
But the heavens and the earth, which now are
By the same word of God kept in store are
Reserved unto the Day of Judgment fire
So that no ungodly be saved at all
Now dear learned ones do not be swindled
Let your much vaunted wisdom be dwindled
Kiss the Son lest His wrath should be kindled
And you find the narrow way not at all
- Albert Dallaire, Beckenham, Kent
I really don't see the purpose in knowing the big bang theroy, we are all here and that's good enough for me. we are not god and some things are left misteries for a reason and its probably for our best interest.if the good lord wantes us to know then he would have revieled it to us. but mans curiosity will drive him crazy thats the problem with the world today lets not forget thats why lucifer was kicked out of heaven for trying to be god. But all I can do is pray may God Bless US ALL.
- Janell, Newbern North Carolina
I think this is a great idea, even if the universe wasn't created from a "big bang", which i believe it was, but w/e, it can still create new things that we could use to possibly cure diseases and expand technology.
- Kris Ayres, Jerseyville, Illinois
man is really asking for it. it is true who asked any of us if we wanted to put the future of the earth in any of these wackos hands - scientist - give me a break they are just wackos and we and our children will have to pay the price - and it won't be good - it never is - man isn't half as smart as they think they are - proof - our world is already being destroyed thanks to great discoveries they say we had to have. God Have Mercy on on our children and us.
- Angela Campbell, Campbellford, Canada
You say that but I'm convinced I've just jumped into a parallel universe.
- Dhanraj, basildon, essex
I wonder how much of the world's wealth has been spent trying to prove a theory which has no foundation in fact only unproven supposition. When are we going to accept that we are here because of the concern of a loving Heavenly Father.
- Jeff Walsh, York England
Ah, but they haven't collided the beams together yet. That's when it will get interesting
- Victor Ward, Toronto Canada
when i hueared that the big bang was going to be started up i was not afraid. Because i knew that thoose scientist who where working with the big bang knew what they where doing and that they shurley dont want to put the whole world in danger.
- Nicole, london
its a fake
- Sila, london
at first when i heard the big bang in geneva was going to happen i thought it was true and the world was going to end but actually as the the news kept on and on being repeated it actually occured to me that it would never happen as so now that thre was no reaction to the big bang i fell very happy about the cause of no doubt whatsoever
- Sila, london
If people bother to read scientific sites, they'll see that nothing can go wrong with the LHC experiments. After all, particles from outer space regularly bash into earth's atmosphere daily, at the speed of light, and no black holes ever get created. The first experiments don't happen for about 30 days anyway, today was just a matter of getting the machine up and running so I hope Mike of Las Vegas has booked another holiday with his Mrs for a month's time.
- Yvonne, Doncaster, uk
Mike, Las Vegas - you're in Maui and reading about this - and responding to it? Take a break for goodness sake. Switch off your computer.
- Bernice, London
I have a child lying in bed tonight unable to sleep, as she fears the world is just about to end...
That makes me almost as mad as climate change does!
- Kate, Australia
dont do it imto young to die
- Branden, braibane australia
chances of this going wrong were silch (in fat there was more chance of a ufo landing then the lockness monster falling out of the sky and landing on the ufo
of course the media in london were of course was making a big fuss saying the end of the world is here, but no one listens to the media in england as this is like the time
A) the millenium bug was going to give every machine life and all the machines was going to destroy human kind
B) there was that deadly gas in 2002 that was going to kill everyone in there sleep
so do not fear the media just likes to scare poeple to get viewers/listeners/readers
- Swains Amusements, london/england
This morning's run involved sending the protons around the ring in one direction. The clashing of 2 proton streams occurs later and it is this phase of the experiment which some believe could result in the end of the world. So we may not be out of the woods yet.
- Rick, London
I have to say that I personally was a bit worried too. But I cannot believe that Sunny from UK told her 7 yr old son what was happening and what "could" possibly result from it..... were you deliberately trying to terrify the child? I mean, he is only SEVEN, it isn't like he can decipher and figure out the risks, ramifications, or benefits from this, it only registers to a child that age that something really bad may happen and might kill all the people in the world. Since he, you or I couldn't stop it, why terrify him like that? .... That's like telling a 7 year old that yes, there is a boogy man, he is living in his closet and could come out at night to get him. Not a good way to ensure a pleasant night's sleep for a small one.
Geez....
- Caroline, USA
Who would be worried anyway the world is going to end someday so why worry and on the other hand the end of the experiment would either be death or answers.
- Duncan, northumberland england
Sunny of Ilford, what on earth are you going on about? You've obviously been lapping up the tabloid scare stories and paying no attention whatsoever to the real facts. You said yourself, "My knowledge about these things is very very limited." So why put forward your half-baked opinions as facts? Your property, your life and your families' lives are not and never were under threat from this experiment. Massive proton collisions take place all the time, without any ill effect; this experiment simply makes sure they take place at a known time and place so that the results of the collisions can be measured. And Mike of Las Vegas; it wasn't hidden, it wasn't downplayed, its inception and construction has been public knowlwdge for a good twenty years. Grow up.
- John, Bedford
It is extremely premature to suggest that the experiment was a "success" and that we all may breathe a sigh of "relief", because it will be several weeks before the real experiment of smashing beams against each other, in opposite directions & at the speed of light, begins. That is what is potentially calamitous for everyone and everything we know today. And, that's really what concerned persons are worried about - not today's gradual start-up! I remain extremely worried about this machine's potential for disaster. And regardless of today's start-up, I remain just as sceptical about CERN's using the term "benign black holes" - do we really need to find out if the theory of "benign black holes" was mistaken?
- Tremain, Dublin, Ireland
Better put your head between your legs and kiss your rear end goodby, the 'end is nigh'
LOL.
- Pablo, Adelaide, South australia
Thank God
- Tekumalla Venkatappaiah, Vijayawada/India
All the people have afraid very much. Now all the things are cool. Let bing bang experiment create a good history and give new path to our society in inventing things about earth and other planets
- Tekumalla Venkatappaiah, Vijayawada/India
I had heard this was coming, although all governments hid and downplayed it. Gee, this wasn't mentioned in the media BEFORE it was too late to prepare, so noone KNEW to panic you worthless jerks! I knew, and took a relaxing vacation with wife to Maui, where I am now, just in case it WAS the last chance. Who knows, they will be playing with this thing for years... it might take that long to punch in the right combination of buttons until... phzzzt!
- Mike, Las Vegas, NV
Jaide, who said everyone was going to die? Not the scientists! Doom mongers have been predicting the demise of the earth since time immomorial! If never experiment and exploration had never been encourgaed, we'd all still think that the earth was flat and be dying of consumption! It's human nature to be quizzical, to look for answers and to progress; god forbid (excuse the pun) we should be anything but!
- Kitty, London
Flash Gordon once again foiled the terrorist of CERN who wanted to destroy not just a bus, a train or an airport..but the entire earth.
What gave them the right to put my property, my life and my family's life under threat without my permission. Did they consult me? My 7 year old son was very disturbed when he heard about this and cried and then kept asking about it till he went to sleep.
They decided to do something which would have destroyed the earth (and still might) without checking with others who have an equal right to live on this earth.
I read various scientific opinions about how this is safe. They spent 4 billion on the Terminal 5 and thought that would work .. and it didnt. Here they are hazarding a guess about science that is unknown. There is many things that happened 14 billion years ago during the actual big bang which we dont have a clue about. My knowledge about these things is very very limited.
If the blast will lead to tempratures of 100000 times the sun, do we have any tube lining that can withstand the temperature. Is there any way to control any chain reaction (fusion/fission) that might be triggered. People should have been educated a bit more. Is there a plan B if things go wrong.
There should have been a lot more information disseminated and a lot more buy-in from people before they went ahead.
- Sunny, Ilford, United Kingdom
they only tested a single beam. That was it. Later they will test another beam counter clockwise. In October they will smash atoms together and try to recreate the moment just after the Big Bang. That is what people are worried about. I'm not worried but to others that are they will see this news story as getting the facts wrong. Nobody was worried about today and if they were they didn't have there facts right either. Besides in October when they conduct their first tests, it will still be a full year before the LHC is at full power. So maybe worry next October.
- Xodus, Honolulu, USA
I took the day off work today and now will have to think of an excuse for my unexplained absence.
- Arthur Pantry, London, England
thank god! 
- Jack, London England
what was the point even doing this experiment,
and telling us that we are going to die butt NOT ONE PEROSN DIED !!
Getting all the school kids scared
My child did not wont to go into school today as she thought she was going to die !
- Jaide, london/enfield
One less worry then!
- Mark, Watford
Now the world has started revolting again with a new history . the mystery which has millions of years of history is going to reveal through which we can thoroughly understand that what is the immense power behind the world moving it.
- Om Prakash, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
If this experiment creates any durable black holes, they will start out being microscopic and it would take years before our doom becomes obvious... Don't count your chickens yet...
- Phil, Sidcup, UK
