2008 events in the Globe
Globe of Science and Innovation 1st floor - Route de Meyrin, 1211 Geneva
From Tuesday, 28 October, to Saturday, 13 December 2008
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The phenomenon of superconductivity was discovered a century ago. The first step was taken in 1907 when helium was liquefied for the first time. The capability to cool materials down to temperatures of -269°C (4.2K), made it possible to study the new phenomenon of superconductivity. The properties of this amazing discovery are already being used in a variety of applications in such areas as medical imaging, energy transportation, storage, magnetic levitation and transportation, and electronics. Come and find out how superconductivity has been used for the magnets of CERN’s new accelerator, and test the feeling of levitation for yourself!
Free entry - No specialist knowledge required.
Monday 17 November 2008 at 8 p.m.
Superconductivity, from physics to applications
Lecture by Philippe Lebrun, Head of CERN’s Accelerator Technology Department
Superconductivity, which is the total absence of electrical resistance, was discovered approximately 100 years ago in a few metals at very low temperature. It took 50 years to explain this phenomenon and several decades more to begin to apply it in major scientific facilities such as the LHC. Development of superconductivity will make it possible to illustrate the relations between science, technology and society.
Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 8.30 p.m.
Show: Harlequin and the colour of quarks
There are three characters in this story: Harlequin, the faithful and mischievous servant, Maâdame, a demanding and determined grande dame, and Gene-Va, a young physics student who sells fruit and vegetables on the side.
It’s pandemonium! Maâdame is organising a big celebration for her dear daughter’s birthday.
She wants to give her the most original dress in the world so that she will be the belle of the ball. After endless web searches, quite by chance she discovers that the quarks, the elementary components of matter, can have different colours. Now there’s an idea! The performance will be given by the troupe Mosaïque which is resident in Geneva. The show will be followed by a discussion with physicists.
Wednesday 19 November 2008 at 8.30 p.m.
LHC, the Big Bang in a test-tube
Bar of Sciences with video link to Montpellier and Paris
Our understanding of the Universe is changing. Come to the debate moderated by Marie-Odile Montchicourt, a journalist from the French radio station France Info. It will be conducted by video link between the Globe of Science and Innovation, the Le Baloard bar in Montpellier and the Maison des Métallos in Paris. CERN participants : physicists Philippe Charpentier and Daniel Froideveaux, Participants in Paris: the philosopher and CEA research scientist Vincent Bontemps and the philosopher, science historian and theologian Jacques Arnould . Participants in Montpellier : André Neveu, theoretical physicist at France’s Theoretical and Astroparticle Physics Laboratory (LPTA) and director of research at the CNRS ; Gilbert Moultaka, theoretical physicist at LPTA and research officer at the CNRS.
Free entry - No specialist knowledge required. To reserve call +41 (0)22 767 76 76
Complete programme of the Globe: http://www.cern.ch/globe
