Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) located at CERN began conducting an experiment to recreate a miniature version of the "Big Bang" on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
Scientists hope to find answers to questions about black holes, dark matter and why the universe appears the way it does.
he LHC was successfully turned on and two beams circled the 17-mile underground ring. The first going clockwise and the second going counter clockwise during different trial runs. CERN has not announced when it would begin experimenting with the actual collisions of protons.
Fast Facts

1. The "Big Bang Experiment" will be conducted by the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
2. The collider circulates a beam of protons around a 17-mile-long tunnel.
3. Estimated project cost: $10 billion.
4. On September 10, 2008, the collider was turned on for the first time.

Big Bang Experiment Fears

Skeptics questioned the safety of the experiment and a group of scientists tried to challenge the project in court. Some believed the black holes would grow and "swallow the planet." Experts involved with the project said the claim is nonsense.

Scientist Death Threats

Groups opposing the "Big Bang Experiment" have tried to challenge CERN's project in court. Some of the scientists involved in the project have received death threats.CERN scientists said that the experiment could in theory create small black holes, but it is a safe experiment overall.