CERN Large Hadron Collider
CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) is a scientific research group focusing on fundamental physics. On September 10, 2008 CERN will make the first attempt to circulate a beam in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The LHC is the world’s largest particle accelerator designed to potentially discover a hypothetical elemental particle of the Standard Model of physics. The LHC is designed to collide protons moving at great speeds with the intention of monitoring the resulting collison.
What will it find?
The two likeliest discoveries according to Cosmic Variance (a blog run by Physics Professors) is the Higgs Boson particle and Supersymmetry. To get a better understanding of what these terms are, I would recommend watching the videos below for a start.
Brian Cox speaking at TED illustrates what the LHC is and what scientists are hoping to discover.
This video offers an alternate explanation with actual footage from within the LHC.
Here are some other resources that explain and illustrate the work at CERN and the LHC:
National Geographic photos and article
Interactive Image that describes the process that may lead to the discover of the Higgs Boson particle.
LHC Game (Click on the image below)
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Then read a bit at LHCFacts.org and decide if safety is certain or if a repeat of the shuttle Challenger disaster is possible.