United They Stand

speed, originally uploaded by Rabujee.

So, where do you find a Pakistani and an Indian, an Irani and an American, a Palestinian and an Israeli all working together, passionate about one common goal?

In Geneva of course! Yep, 7000 scientists from over 80 countries are working together and excited to be part of this history making event. The Hadron Collider is the largest particle accelerator in the world, built underground between the Alps and the Jura Mountains.

Its WAY too technical to get into the details but basically the scientists hope to accelerate two separate beams of protons (moving in opposite directions) along a 17 mile circular route. These beams will contain matter of only about a billionth of a gram, yet the momentum reached will be equivalent to that of a freight train moving at 120 mph!!

What's the purpose of all this, you ask? WELL, the findings could redefine what you've been taught in your chemistry and physics classes. I think even the scientists don't know what it could all mean, yet. The Collider won't be into operation until Spring of 2009, as they're still working out some technical difficulties.

I think this is a huge deal, not only from the science and engineering perspective but because amidst all this chaos in the world, theres still one society which stands firm and united. And that's wayyyyyy cool!

Okay, nerdy moment over; I know that if nobody else enjoyed ANY part of this...then at least one person did: Provoking Invoking =D.