An important component of the CERN Large Hadron Particle Collider failed soon after the “Big Bang” machine was turned on for preliminary testing, and now scientists at the European facility are saying that the doomsday device will not be ready for use again until spring.
The delay will be caused in part by the fact that the component in question is located in a part of the collider that must be chilled to near absolute zero. So, this part of the machine must first be warmed to a point where technicians can actually come in and fix the thing, and then it must be rechilled before the collider can begin more tests. Adding to the delay is the fact that the CERN laboratory shuts down during the winter months.
Here’s a question, why does a machine that needs to function at the coldest temperatures shut down in the winter, when the climate cools? Shouldn’t it require less energy to cool the collider when it is naturally cold outside?
Just a thought, here’s the story from CNN.
hey I like europeans
The thing is 100m below the surface of the Earth and its not like the pipe is surrounded by dirt. Do you really think the season matters?
A valid point, but the question remains why they shut down completely during the winter months.
Pretty sure it’s not the fact that it’s cold in the winter that they turn it off, but because energy is a lot more expensive during the winter months. And this machine uses A LOTTTTT of energy.
Maybe the scientists that run CERN are really space aliens and go into their annual hibernation cycle during the winter months… that or they’re hockey fans. What other reason would aliens come to Earth if not for Ice Hockey?