Science slam and film program to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the discovery of the Higgs bosonHow a Tiny Particle Changed our Understanding of the Universe

Photo: Laura Vogiatzis

Public event on 4 July at 6:30 pm

The discovery of the Higgs boson particle at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Geneva is one of the most important scientific achievements of the age. The exact measurement of the Higgs boson particle and our resulting understanding of the Universe are the fruits of over 4 decades of intensive international research. Ten thousand researchers from institutions from all continents took part. Particle physics is thus a beacon of successful peaceful international scientific cooperation.

From the outset, researchers from German research institutions held key positions in the building of the 27-kilometer LHC particle accelerator and the development of the building-sized particle detectors used to measure traces of the Higgs boson particle. Their knowledge of theoretical physics, data analysis, detector development, engineering, and informatics contributed significantly to the scientific triumph.

There is a long, rich tradition of particle physics in Hamburg. For decades, DESY and Universität Hamburg have pursued the basic research that led to the discovery of the Higgs boson particle. Local research groups play a key role in the development of ATLAS and CMS detectors at LHC and in data analysis. At Universität Hamburg’s Cluster of Excellence Quantum Universe, researchers cooperate with DESY to study mass and gravitation at the junction of quantum physics and cosmology. Understanding the Higgs boson particle is crucial to this work.

For the tenth anniversary of the Higgs boson discovery, DESY and Universiät Hamburg are hosting a public event at 6:30 pm on 4 July. Young researchers will take the public on a journey through the world of the Higgs boson particle. The program also includes entertaining talks and a live recording of the control room at CERN, where, following a longer reconstruction phase, the start of a new data-collecting phase at the particle accelerator is underway. We will conclude the event with a prize-winning documentary, Particle Fever, about the search for the Higgs boson particle.

The event is free. It is also suitable for school-aged children. Venue: Science City Hamburg-Bahrenfeld, DESY auditorium (Building 5), Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg

For the Higgs boson anniversary, 15 research sites all over Germany will be hosting events on 4 July. See www.higgs10.de for an overview of all events.

The particle physics portal Weltmaschine consolidates more information about discovering the Higgs boson particle.

Press release as PDF