Big Bang machine sends beams in 2 directions

Geneva: Scientists working on the world`s largest atom smasher say they are now circulating beams of protons in opposite directions at the same time in the $10 billion machine after more than a year of repairs.
Steve Myers, the director for accelerators at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, says the development Monday brings the Large Hadron Collider closer to full operation.

The aim is to hurl protons into each other at close to the speed of light in order to simulate conditions shortly after the Big Bang — which scientists think marked the creation of the universe billions of years ago.

Scientists at the organization, known as CERN, hope this will help them to unravel the origins and the nature of matter itself.

Bureau Report