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LHC Shut Down By Transformer Malfunction

Posted by timothy on from the it's-only-broken-if-you-look dept.

Ortega-Starfire writes "A 30-ton transformer in the Large Hadron Collider malfunctioned, requiring complete replacement on the day the LHC came online. No one at CERN reported any problems, and they only released this data once the Associated Press sent people to investigate rumors of problems. I guess it's hard to just sweep a 30-ton transformer breaking under the rug."

14 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. Transformers... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 5, Funny

    More than meets the eye! I guess the Decepticons don't want us to advance our knowledge!

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    1. Re:Transformers... by inode_buddha · · Score: 5, Funny

      In deference to relativity, perhaps they are exploring another aspect of this?

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      C|N>K
    2. Re:Transformers... by bsDaemon · · Score: 5, Funny

      You know, that very well may be the first time I've seen on Slashdot, where "there, fixed that for you," actually fixed an actual issue. Bravo, sir.

  2. sweep a 30-ton transformer breaking under the rug? by jcnnghm · · Score: 5, Funny

    It would be hard to sweep a 30-ton transformer under a rug, unless there is a black hole under said rug.

    --
    You don't make the poor richer by making the rich poorer. - Winston Churchill
  3. One transformer down... by mikiN · · Score: 5, Funny

    several to go.

    Well ALICE, let's see how deep the budget hole goes...

    --
    The Hacker's Guide To The Kernel: Don't panic()!
  4. Re:Why the tone in the summary? by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 5, Funny

    I appreciate the fact that they have set up some live web cams so you can see what's going on at the facility.

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    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
  5. Reminder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just in case anyone else misread the headline, there's a vas deferens between the Large Hadron Collider and the Large Hardon Collider.

    1. Re:Reminder by evanbd · · Score: 5, Funny

      You know, this is slashdot. The least you could do is provide a link.

  6. Is the speed of light slower near Lyons by bornwaysouth · · Score: 5, Funny
    The transformer failure is just one of those things. But, according to the article..

    After it was started up Sept. 10, scientists circled a beam of protons in a clockwise direction at the speed of light. They shut that down, then turned on a counterclockwise beam.

    Now, accelerating a proton to the speed of light seems to me impossible, given that they are in a vacuum. But if they can do that, then the other interpretation is possible. It was the scientists who were circling at the speed of light, round say, a little beaker of protons. I'd like to commend whoever shut them down, then anti-beamed them to restore reality.

  7. Re:GORDON! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    http://www.shacknews.com/images/image-o-matic.x?/images/sshots/Screenshot/10698/10698_48c7161254f4d.jpg

    http://i35.tinypic.com/256fu4g.jpg

  8. Re:sweep a 30-ton transformer breaking under the r by Alwin+Henseler · · Score: 5, Funny

    True, but if they're real scientists they'd figure out it's easier to sweep the black hole under the 30-ton transformer. When done, cover up with rug.

  9. Re:morethanmeetstheeye by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Something insightful.

  10. Re:morethanmeetstheeye by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    something insightful PLEASE

  11. Re:Why the tone in the summary? by ScreamingCactus · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're not trying to cover up a broken transformer - they're trying to cover up the tiny black hole that formed in the transformers, and is growing exponentially.

    --
    The path to enlightenment is truly through homemade drugs!