For a report on ABC's Catalyst program (http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/), I visited the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland to find out what is being done now that the Higgs Boson has been discovered.
Although its mass has been measured around 125-126 GeV most of the other properties of the particle remain unknown. Its spin appears to be 0 or 2 but more results are required to nail this down. If it is the standard model Higgs, the spin should be 0, resulting in a fairly symmetric distribution of decay products in the detectors.
We may know this year if it's not the standard model Higgs - this would be the case if it doesn't decay into specific particles with the expected frequency. However if it is the standard model Higgs, it may take many more years to be certain. The large hadron collider will be shut down in 2013 for upgrades so that higher energies up to 14 TeV can be tested. Right now the LHC is operating at 8 TeV. The next announcement is expected in December.
In today's digital age, where information is at everyone's fingertips, it's easy to get swept away by seemingly unbelievable content that inundates our screens daily. Whether it's a mind-boggling viral video or an uncanny photo circulating online, distinguishing fact from fiction has become increasingly challenging. Enter 'Captain Disillusion,' a TV series that not only entertains but educates viewers on deciphering the truth behind visual fakery.
The first season of 'Captain Disillusion' introduces us to a world where appearances are often deceptive, and what you see isn't always what you get. Our titular hero, Captain Disillusion, steps up to guide audiences through this labyrinth of digital deception with his signature blend of humor and analytical prowess. With 106 episodes in its debut season, there's no shortage of content for eager minds ready to learn about the intricate art of debunking.
Each episode serves as a masterclass in skepticism and critical thinking, starting with Episode 1, where Captain Disillusion confronts the bizarre concept of violent penguins and tackles attention-seeking visual effects creators. As we move into Episode 2, the captain turns his vectorscope towards Japan's digital curiosities, unraveling their mysteries with precision.