CERN is one of the world's leading laboratories for particle physics. At CERN, physicists and engineers use the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to understand the fundamental structure and origins of the universe. Established 64 years ago, as one of Europe's first joint ventures, the laboratory today brings together more than 12 000 physicists, from 105 nationalities, working in an open and peaceful environment.
To study the basic constituents of matter, particles are made to collide together at close to the speed of light in CERN's complex of particle accelerators, which sits astride the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is CERN's flagship accelerator; at 27km diameter, it is the world's most powerful particle collider.
The knowledge generated at CERN and the technological innovations driven by the science that is carried out at the laboratory have and still do benefit society. After all, CERN gave the world the world-wide web and has been a pioneer in other technologies, such as touch screens and PET scanners.
CERN is an open organisation: the world-wide web was made free and open almost from the moment it was born. Today, CERN's scientific results are freely available and all software tools are available in open source. It is also open to visitors, from near and far: over 150 000 people visit CERN each year, and around 1 000 teachers from more than 25 countries take part in dedicated programmes.
All this will be shared with visitors to Les Automnales 2017. In a stand designed to represent a collision between particles, CERN staff and scientists will take visitors on a true journey through CERN's science, technology and impact on society and the local community. From virtual tours of the LHC and CERN's detectors, to films, interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will be able to share in the passion that drives all "CERNois".
Text provided by the CERN.
Les Automnales 10-19 novembre 2017 Palexpo Route François-Peyrot 30 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
