From Techfreep: By accelerating protons toward each other at 99.999999% the speed of light the LHC can recreate conditions similar to those that resulted from the Big Bang, ultimately alighting a great deal about the particles and forces that comprise our Universe. A press release from CERN better illuminates their intent for the project. Another interesting article in Radiant Reality.
Dark Rosted Blend has very good photographs. It quotes some additional material worth speculating.
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CERN's main function is to provide the particle accelerators and other infrastructure needed for high-energy physics research.
