Smashing Atoms

The scientifically-anticipated Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful atom-smasher ever built, goes online Wednesday. Some critics fear it will cause Doomsday, but scientists have been eagerly awaiting this moment for more than two decades. More here.

According to the AP article:

The multibillion-dollar Large Hadron Collider will explore the tiniest particles and come ever closer to re-enacting the big bang, the theory that a colossal explosion created the universe.

The machine at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, promises scientists a closer look at the makeup of matter, filling in gaps in knowledge or possibly reshaping theories.

The first beams of protons will be fired around the 17-mile tunnel to test the controlling strength of the world's largest superconducting magnets. It will still be about a month before beams traveling in opposite directions are brought together in collisions that some skeptics fear could create micro "black holes" and endanger the planet.

Kewl!!!

UPDATE: More info on the collider here. Thanks to David Pym for the link.