Large Hadron Collider to restart in November (and destroy the universe?)

Editor's Note: The LHC is gearing up for ignition after a failed attempt (it worked for only 9 days and smashed no atoms). The so-called secrets of the universe are ready to bare themselves. But maybe they don't want to be bared. Maybe the universe will not allow the LHC to operate properly because its successful operation would destroy everything. We'll find out soon enough. Or perhaps the mystery will continue.

MSNBC - August 7, 2009, by Alexander G. Higgins

GENEVA - When launched to great fanfare nearly a year ago, some feared the Large Hadron Collider would create a black hole that would destroy the world. The world's largest scientific machine, built at a cost of $10 billion, has worked only nine days and has yet to smash an atom.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, said Friday it would restart the collider in November at half power under pressure from scientists eager to conduct experiments to unlock secrets of the universe.

But spokesman James Gillies told The Associated Press they would have to shut down yet again next year to finish repairs so that the Large Hadron Collider can operate at full energy of 7 trillion electron volts — seven times higher than any other machine in the world.

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