Bird Shuts Down Large Hadron Collider

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has reported that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) near Geneva has been temporarily shut down due to a piece of French baguette dropped into the cooling unit, most likely from a passing bird, according to India Today. The LHC is extremely delicate, but fortunately the cooling irregularities were noticed in time to prevent major damage. The LHC has been plagued with difficulties, but is undergoing rehabilitation after a helium leak shut it down in September 2008. The area where the bread crust was found is surrounded by high security fences, making a bird the likely culprit.

Bread is one of birds' favorite treats, but there are many other kitchen scraps to feed birds - just don't let them eat near $4 billion nuclear research installations!

Baguettes
Photo © K P