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An exhibition entitled "Collider: Step inside the World's Greatest Experiment" will be held from tomorrow (March 18) until May 25 at the Hong Kong Science Museum. The exhibition introduces the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider, to reveal the secrets of the universe through particle physics experiments.
Speaking at the opening ceremony today (March 17), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, said it is the department's great honour to present this special exhibition as a celebratory programme to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Science Museum. Visitors can enjoy exclusive access to real artefacts and view some of the most precious collections from the Science Museum in London.
Ms Li noted that the exhibition will also highlight the role of scholars and scientists from Hong Kong in the research at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). She said she believes that the exhibition will inspire young people to pursue their passion in science and technology.
Other officiating guests included the British Consul General to Hong Kong and Macao, Ms Caroline Wilson; the Director of the Science Museum Group, Mr Ian Blatchford; the Chairman of the Jonathan KS Choi Foundation, Dr Jonathan Choi; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Science Museum, Ms Karen Sit.
Scientists believe that the origin of the universe will be revealed once they are able to delve into the secrets of particles, as everything is composed of particles. CERN built the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator, across the border between Switzerland and France in 2008. Inside the collider, scientists are able to reveal clues about how particles interact and gain an insight into the fundamental laws of nature from the experiments.
Presenting multimedia programmes, simulated laboratory environments and real components of the Collider, including a 2-tonne superconducting magnet, this exhibition aims to show the special structure and detectors of the experimental facility. It will highlight the role played by such a facility in the cutting-edge research of particle physics, as well as how scientists can use it to reveal the secrets of the universe.
To facilitate the public's understanding of the exhibition content, the Science Museum will hold a demonstration entitled "Particles! Nice to Meet You" at the exhibition gallery at 10.45am tomorrow. Through interesting demonstration and an experiment, the session will introduce particle physics and the Collider. Professor Chu Ming-chung from the Department of Physics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who has led the Hong Kong team to participate in the research at CERN, will also be present to interact with visitors. The session will be broadcast live on the Science Museum's YouTube channel for members of the public to watch online.
The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Jonathan KS Choi Foundation, co-organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and China Association (H.K.) for Science and Society Ltd, and sponsored by Sunwah Foundation. The international tour is sponsored by Winton Capital Management Limited. Supporting organisations include the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Sciences of Hong Kong, and the Department of Physics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The exhibition is produced by the Science Museum in London.
For details of the exhibition, please visit the website hk.science.museum/ms/collider2016 or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.
Ends/Thursday, March 17, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:17
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