The Largest Machine on the Planet
In a 17-mile long tunnel underneath the Swiss-French border, a particle accelerator called the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) recently fired its first proton beams. In a few months, it’s due to start smashing particles together. Scientists hope these experiments might solve some of the mysteries of the universe, like how particles acquire mass. Studio 360’s Eric Molinsky looks into why the colorful and complex design of the LHC looks like the set of a sci-fi movie.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!