The “black hole machine” is up and running again. Researchers have repaired a device that scares many

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The device, which years ago raised public concerns about the creation of a black hole, is back in operation. CERN’s large hadron particle accelerator has been restarted at the Swiss-French border after three years. The accelerator has undergone extensive repairs and maintenance.

After three years, the largest and most powerful particle accelerator in the world is back in operation. A large hadron accelerator has started up again at CERN in Switzerland. At 12:16 on Friday, April 22, scientists sent two proton beams through the accelerator, both in opposite directions.

The 27-kilometer circular accelerator has been out of service for the past three years. The reason was extensive repairs, maintenance and improvements. The underground station is now ready for another four-year operating cycle. During this time, it will be able to send atomic particles at 99.95% of the speed of light.

Thanks to long maintenance, the accelerator is now more powerful than in the previous two cycles. “The machinery and equipment of the CERN complex underwent significant improvements during the second long maintenance break,” said the director. CERN for accelerators and technologies Mike Lamont.

CERN will now gradually increase the complexity of the experiments that the scientists will conduct in the complex. After a long pause, it is necessary to give the devices space to get used to the operation. Particle collisions, which are to take place in the next cycle, should be much more frequent than before. Researchers promise to use the improved accelerator to clarify many physical questions about the function of the universe.

The accelerator at CERN was the subject of much controversy in 2008 when it was first launched. For example, people feared the potential for black holes that atomic particle collisions could cause. However, the scientists responsible for designing the accelerator were assured that there was no real danger. There has been no massive accident at CERN so far.

TN.cz

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