Psycho Cyclo

For the Cock-aphony meetin' today we scheduled a tour at the MSU Cyclotron! After about a 30-40 minute power point outlining exactly what the 'tron does we scoured every part of the building available to us with the guide. One cyclotron uses magnets in a large chamber, which constantly switch polarities on an ion of either a positive or negative charge, sending it spinning at 20% the speed of light. The isotope or ion then enters the second, larger cyclotron, which launches the particle at 50% the speed of light and smashes it into a target area full of the selected element or isotope for explosion. Particles of various sizes and creeds are then siphoned off into a 15 ft concrete wall, leaving only one miniscule type of shrapnel.

Also, my new favorite phenomenon, neutrinos, the ghost particles!

I'll be in GR for the weekend, playing water polo on Saturday for the first time in 3 years!