One thousand magnets delivered!

The little matchstick-like objects, neatly lined up like colouring pencils in their box, are in fact LHC magnets seen from the air. These particular ones are being stored at Point 19 just alongside SM18, the magnet assembly and testing hall, which can be seen on the right of the picture. On the right in the background, is the Meyrin site.

This remarkable aerial photograph bears witness to the excellent progress of LHC magnet production. The 1000 mark for the delivery of the main magnets has just been passed (800 dipole magnets and 200 short straight sections). “A total of 1650 main magnets are required”, explains Lucio Rossio, the Head of the Magnets and Superconductors Group (AT-MAS), “I can therefore confirm that production will be completed on schedule in October 2006.”

This second aerial photograph shows one of the two storage areas on the Prévessin site. By looking closely, you can make out the big crane which is about to transport a dipole magnet. Just behind this row of dipole magnets are the dipole cold masses waiting to be inserted into their blue cryostats. Lined up at the bottom of the picture you can see the short straight sections, consisting of the main quadrupoles and other corrector magnets.