Smashing Protons: A great reason to pop the cork on a bottle you’ve been saving!

Sometimes I am reminded of the reasons I became a scientist…it can be very frigging cool! As of around 4 AM EST this morning, the largest scientific experiment ever conceived or attempted is now underway. Deep under the Swiss-Franco boarder, a proton beam was launched into a 17 mile long tunnel that is housed in a 12 foot thick concrete casing that makes up the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the worlds largest particle accelerator. This beam won’t be alone for very long, since in an adjacent tunnel a second beam will be launched with the intention of creating conditions in which the two beams will collide (the first scheduled collision is on October 21, 2008) creating enough energy to excite any science geek or sci-fi fanatic.

So what does this have to do with wine? Well…very little actually. The experiments performed will attempt to define some of the most basic, yet highly disputed, laws of physics that govern everything from how matter has mass, to the complexities of string theory, to evidence for the Higgs boson (the fundamental basis of particle physics). The findings may even reveal details of what happened shortly (microseconds) after the “big bang” and therefore information on how the universe began.

In smashing protons together ate very high speeds, the scientists at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) will attempt to create mini-black holes. Black holes are thought to be a part of space in which powerful gravitational force can attract anything from planets to electromagnetic radiation (i.e. light), swallowing these things up and never letting them go (light that enters a black hole is lost forever). According to skeptics, though, these experiments may lead to the end of humanity. The skeptics argue that creating a black hole may create a force that cannot be controlled and that will swallow up the earth, the sun and perhaps our entire solar system.

Keep in mind, however that a majority of physicists feel the risk of this happening is minute. Supporters argue that the potential benefits from the multi-billion dollar research in relation to an understanding of the basis of matter, antimatter and the like more than outweigh the tiny risk. Put me in that group.

But again, what does this have to do with wine?

As a scientist (neuroscientist), I am both in awe and appreciation of this new project. It’s the kind of stuff we scientists grew up imaging ourselves involved with- large scale, highly acclaimed research that has implications in all aspects of life and existence. That said, my understanding of particle physics is rather elementary, so much so that I can’t form a strong argument on whether or not we are setting ourselves up for self-destruction (only a physicist could do so). That is why from tonight, until October 21, I will be more inclined to open some of the wines in my cellar that I was saving for a special occasion! The last days of existence seem like a good enough reason to open a 1985 Lisini Brunello or 1988 Chateau de Beaucastel!

So this week or weekend, when you’re thinking about what to buy from the store or grab from the cellar, why not make it something special? Invite over a few friends or someone you love, maybe your parents or a sibling, make some good food and enjoy your favorite bottle(s) of wine. Do I really believe that we are on the brink of extintction? Not a chance. But I’ll use any excuse to open a bottle of good wine with my loved ones! Cause whether or not the skeptics are right about the hadron collider, one thing is certain- life is too short to drink bad wine!

(Main image: simulation of the Higgs boson: This file is in the public domain because it is from the homepage of CMS detector of CERN. All photos and movies are completely free to use, but they do request that if you find something useful (or if you have any suggestions as to how something could be improved), please send an email to cms.outreach@cern.ch.)

Cheers!