The Mythical Tunnel Between CERN and Central Italy

Posted by samzenpus on Sunday September 25, 2011 @02:36PM from the just-the-facts-mam dept.

fph il quozientatore writes "Mariastella Gelmini, the Italian minister of Public Education and Scientific Research, complimented the researchers for the recent (supposed) discovery of faster-than-light neutrinos. Her press release mentions that Italy funded the construction of a 'tunnel between the CERN [in Geneva] and Gran Sasso [the labs in Central Italy].' Google maps reports the distance between the two labs as over 900km — but of course once the tunnel is open to traffic the trip will be much faster."

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No, it was not... by feranick · 2011-09-25 14:54 · Score: 4, Informative

As an Italian speaker I can confirm that there is no mistranslation. She really said a tunnel was in place and Italy contributed the money to build it....
Re:Question by Kagura · 2011-09-25 15:52 · Score: 4, Informative

The common rule of thumb for neutrinos is that it take a sheet of lead one light-year thick in order to stop 50% of the neutrinos directed at it. Wow!