Higgs Boson discovery likened to moon landings

Scientists at CERN announced the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle yesterday, which is believed to be crucial in the formation of the universe.

Eoin Lettice, a contributor to the science blog on the Cork Independent website, said that “perhaps not since the moon landings has such a big, expensive scientific experiment been so successful”.

The impact of the discovery “will only truly be known in 20, 50 and 100 years time”, he said.

The new particle fits within the Higgs parameters. The team at CERN expect to announce by the end of 2012 whether it is without doubt the Higgs Boson.

“If the results check out, and the scientists seem very confident that they will, it will also represent a victory for 'Big Science', says the UCC scientist.

“Like the moon landings, the technological advances arising from these experiments may not be the ones we imagine and will only become obvious after a time.

“I think the widespread interest stems from the place the Higgs Boson occupies as one of the building blocks of the universe. The story of the universe fascinates physicists and non-physicists, scientists and non-scientists alike,” he added.

This Friday CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory will run some events related to the discovery. From 6 – 8pm there will be four half-hour hands on family friendly sessions with our in-house teacher and astronomer, Frances McCarthy. Suitable for family groups with at least one strong reader to decode the science you find out.

At 8pm there will be a lecture with Prof. Mike Redfern for a discussion on the Higgs Boson and black holes.