CERN's Large Hadron Collider started -- are we still here? (updated with video)
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Sep 10th 2008 3:48AM
posted Sep 10th 2008 3:48AM
Hello? Tap, tap, tap, this thing on?
CERN's $9 billion, 17-mile long atom smasher was just turned on and we're awaiting reports on how the tests have gone. The Large Hadron Collider did experience "small electrical problems" overnight. However, these were not expected to delay the first test firing at 9:30am CEST. As such, the clockwise and counter-clockwise firing of particles should already be in progress.
Remember, no smashing will be done today, for that we'll have to wait until later this month. We'll update you here as things progress.
09:49 -- Confirmed, the first beam of protons has been fired! It took 48-seconds for the pulse to generate and then a tiny flash of light on a computer screen indicated a successful firing around the first 3-km of the 27-km ring -- they will methodically extend the range throughout the day.
10:25 -- The beam just completed the full ring (in stages) in less than an hour. Things are going much more quickly than expected. Counterclockwise test next.
12:18 -- CERN estimates that the LHC will be fully operational for physics work in the next few months. Added NASA-like video of the reaction to the full-loop, first beam success after the break (watch for two flashes on the left-most screen).
Note: Insert, the following string into VLC to watch live: mms://qstream-live.qbrick.com/00862live80910
Read -- small electrical issues
Read -- webcast (currently down)
Read -- First beam fired
CERN's $9 billion, 17-mile long atom smasher was just turned on and we're awaiting reports on how the tests have gone. The Large Hadron Collider did experience "small electrical problems" overnight. However, these were not expected to delay the first test firing at 9:30am CEST. As such, the clockwise and counter-clockwise firing of particles should already be in progress.
Remember, no smashing will be done today, for that we'll have to wait until later this month. We'll update you here as things progress.
09:49 -- Confirmed, the first beam of protons has been fired! It took 48-seconds for the pulse to generate and then a tiny flash of light on a computer screen indicated a successful firing around the first 3-km of the 27-km ring -- they will methodically extend the range throughout the day.
10:25 -- The beam just completed the full ring (in stages) in less than an hour. Things are going much more quickly than expected. Counterclockwise test next.
12:18 -- CERN estimates that the LHC will be fully operational for physics work in the next few months. Added NASA-like video of the reaction to the full-loop, first beam success after the break (watch for two flashes on the left-most screen).
Note: Insert, the following string into VLC to watch live: mms://qstream-live.qbrick.com/00862live80910
Read -- small electrical issues
Read -- webcast (currently down)
Read -- First beam fired
I think I'm still here, you?
Nope. I'm not here.
I'm sorta here. I'm watching the Apple Keynote
I can confirm the UK still exists but, with Gordon Brown in charge, it hasn't got long...
when Pepsi starts to sponsored LHC? lol.
Whats happening - I CAN'T GET INTO ANYTHING
SOMEONE PLEASE UPDATE ME
OH YES - I AM STILL HERE IN SUNNY JOHANNESBURG
I don't know if I'm still here, but I do know who is still there: http://i34.tinypic.com/33e31c9.jpg
:)
I feel safe.. ;)
Why does the display on my monitor keep twisting counterclockwise?
Those of you worth your geek-salt will have already read this, but for the benefit of lesser geeks, follow this link:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/10/lhc_day_is_not_today/
This thing got me Laid, I told this hot chick that today would possibly be the end of everything and asked to have some sexy time fun and she said yes. And I thought I wasn't going to get LAID this summer. Thanks LHC!! keep smashing those particles cause it helps me lots. I made something else "Collide" last night. Thanks again.
My fingers tips are disintegrating and going into another dimension even as I type.
First of all noone said the black holes would swallow the earth instantly... If you have done any research at all you will know it will take years to even notice the black holes because they start out so small and gather mass very slowly...
reporting from Belgium: just checked and everything still seems to be here. Or there. Except I can't find my socks, but I don't think we can blame CERN for that.
They haven't actually started collisions guys. The conspiracy theorists aren't going away until that happens.
Here is really helpful website that elaborates on the subject: http://www.hasthelargehadroncolliderdestroyedtheworldyet.com/
@ RV
Thats the point. They can not tell that they are there for a long period of time, and some people (conspiracy theorists) believe that a black hole, noticed or unnoticed, could some how throw off the Earths gravitation somehow. Now I'm not a Physicist or anything but that seems just as bad as being eaten by a black hole, and I dont know much more about this topic so do be to mad, after all we all "stand of the shoulders of giants".
So I guess Chuck Norris is there to kick all manner of headcrab ass.
were all still here because CERN HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN!!!!!!!
http://digg.com/general_sciences/CERN_Supercollider_SHUTDOWN
They've been sucked into the black hole, hence the reason the screen is black.
honestly what could this thing do it's not gonna make a black hole but if u fell inn and started going that fast...
Punctuation my friend... commas love you.
i think his commas are the first casualty of the LHC
greetings this is wall-e...........
I'm dissapearing into the abyss :3
It's actually 26 km
Metric FTW
26 659 m. If you want to nitpick, at least do it properly.
oh on the history channel there is a show about this if u get u don't vaporize u it's touch ur dead:)
What? I got the first part of that sentence, but then it sort of tailed off in to those random grunts you make in your sleep
Or were you actually being vapourised whilst typing?
It's actually a funny quote.
Announcer: "So what happens if you were to get hit by the beam [of photons, or something]? Would you vaporize?"
CERN Physicist: "No, you'd just die. Fairly quickly."
This stream works if you're interested: http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/special/webbtv/wmlive/wmp6.html
You can use VLC to open the stream
mms://qstream-live.qbrick.com/00862live80910
Tried it and it worked.
BBC Radio 4 is also streaming live from the LHC today: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/
Don't cross the streams!
First beam of photons? Someone turned on a flashlight?
Protons, Engadget, protons!
Then why didn't they call it the Large Boson Collider?
Because it collides hadrons, not bosons. Bosons are the results of the collisions.
Duuhh!!
Dolly Parton has access to the Large Bosom Collider.
Which will be best for us all?
When they create a small black hole which grows exponentially and destroy us all or when fail every time they try.
Pewpew!
Pretty scary that the webcast went down right after launch, isnt it?
objects with mass cannot be accelerated to the speed of light.
iSpidey and Superzune will save the world!
I wonder how fast a person could go in whatever magnetically powered capsule before G forces become detrimental. I figure the longer the donut shaped tube the less the G forces, allowing much faster speeds, maybe even approaching the speed of light.
Actually what I meant was, How fast could a person go in a circle before G force became detrimental. I figure the longer the circular tube, the faster speed can be reached before G forces cause havoc.
To use a very long circular tube would be feasible allowing speeds to continually increase without running out of runway, so to speak. A straight path wouldn't be feasible because it would have to be so long as to allow the desired speeds to be reached.
The math is easy - radius and speed are sufficient to figure G's.
Gordon Freeman?
Prepare for unforeseen consequences...
Oh come on they don't want the world t know if something does go wrong because it would create fear in people and then god only knows what people would do in numbers if they w scared... Look ive seen The Mist as many of us have & yes please roll your eyes... they said it could lead t the discovery of different dimensions but what if they open a damn door by mistake & they can't close the damn thing then what :( thr is no telling what will happen or what has already happen & im sure if it hasn't happen yet im sure something will before it becomes a big problem but when it does we are all going t pay for what these idiots are doing which is playing around like thr GODS..... These guys are opening Pandora's Box!!! :( May God help us all if thr wrong.... The Unknown should be left the unknown if its for the safety of The Human race :(
once this thing starts colliding protons next month, it will be the end of us.
Cherish your final remaining moments with your loved ones...