Scientists start world's largest particle collider More pictures

Large Hadron Collider (LHC) project leader Lyn Evans, of Britain, poses for photographers at the control center of the CERN in Geneva September 3, 2008.

(Christian Hartmann/Reuters)

The last element, weighing 100 tonnes, of the ATLAS (A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS) experiment is lowered into the cave at the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN (Centre Europeen de Recherche Nucleaire) in Meyrin, near Geneva February 29, 2008. ATLAS is part of five experiments which, from mid 2008 on, will study what happens when beams of particles collide in the 27 km (16.8 miles) long underground ring LHC (Large Hadron Collider). ATLAS is one of the largest collaborative efforts ever attempted in the physical sciences. There are 2100 physicists (including 450 students) participating from more than 167 universities and laboratories in 37 countries.

This file photo shows a giant magnet weighing 1920 tonnes at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. The world's most powerful atom-smasher, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) began operations on Wednesday in a mission to pierce the greatest secrets of the physical Universe, scientists said.

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Interactive graphic on the the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest atom smasher, due to be inaugurated 100 metres (325 feet) below ground in Geneva by European nuclear research body, CERN.

File picture shows the world's largest superconducting solenoid magnet (CMS), at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)'s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particule accelerator in Geneva. The world's most powerful atom-smasher, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) began operations on Wednesday in a mission to pierce the greatest secrets of the physical Universe, scientists said.

Graphic illustration of the Large Hadron Collider

UPDATES graphic originally transmitted Sept. 8 to clarify description of proton collisions on diagram and text under map; graphic locates CERN's Large Hadron Collider and shows how it works;

UPDATES graphic that moved Jun.

29; graphic locates CERN's Large Hadron Collider and shows how it works;

Project leader for CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Lyn Evans, left, speaking with engineer Carlos Fernandez Robles, right, in the island LHC of the CERN Control Centre (CCC) at the European Particle Physics laboratory (CERN) in Prevessin, France, at the Swiss border, near Geneva, Sept. 2, 2008. The purpose of the CERN Control Centre (CCC) is to combine the control rooms of the Laboratory's eight accelerators, as well as the piloting of cryogenics and technical infrastructures.

In this Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007 picture, people stand next to the giant magnet Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) being placed underground in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerator at CERN, the European Particle Physics laboratory, in Cressy near Geneva, France

Graphic illustration of the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva

A scientist looks at computer screens at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) control center of the CERN in Geneva September 3, 2008. The world's most powerful particle accelerator, aimed at unlocking secrets of the universe, will be launched on September 10, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) said.