What Is CERN and What Do They Do?
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The mysteries of the universe have always been a source of fascination for humanity. CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, sits at the forefront of unraveling those enigmas. CERN is one of the world’s largest and most respected centers for scientific research.
Founded in 1954, CERN is one of the world’s leading laboratories for particle physics. Its establishment was primarily driven by the need for European countries to pool their resources and rebuild scientific infrastructure post-World War II. Located on the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, CERN’s primary mission was to provide a collaborative environment for scientists, irrespective of their nationality, ensuring pure scientific research that transcends geopolitical boundaries.
CERN offers a hub for scientists from around the world to collaborate, share knowledge, and receive training. Research at CERN has led to advancements in numerous technologies, especially in the fields of medical imaging, radiation treatment, and data processing.
The most famous apparatus under CERN’s umbrella is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Operational since 2008, it’s the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. The LHC spans a 27-kilometer (16.8 miles) ring of superconducting magnets with a number of accelerating structures to boost the energy of particles.
