Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Large Hadron Collider out of action until spring

Large Hadron Collider out of action until spring: "The huge Large Hadron Collider, built to simulate the conditions at the very start of the universe, will not restart until spring 2009, says the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

The Swiss-based LHC only sent the first proton beam on a full circuit of its 27-kilometre-long tunnel two weeks ago, on 10 September (see the first images from the working LHC). But helium used to cool the collider's delicate recording apparatusleaked into the tunnel on Saturday.

The most likely cause of the leak was a faulty electrical connection between two of the accelerator's giant magnets, CERN says."

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