Smashing the Universe's Mysteries

AtomSmashersRock (9:48 AM): Physicists "see" in many ways. I'd say that we "see" a muon, because it interacts with our detector and we can precisely measure the path it leaves after a collision.
That is, like a child, we connect the dots that have been left in the detector. Problem is, writing software that is as intelligent as a child who can draw is not always simple.

Dave on Earth (9:49 AM): So you're programming quite the brain child, then.

AtomSmashersRock (9:50 AM): Well, we have to know the position to within about 40 microns (the thickness of your hair).
The more the particle bends, the slower it is going. And the interesting new physics will come from really massive particles, which break into speedy particles. So, we need to see how much Mario Andretti curves in the straight section of the road.
My guitarist just called.

Dave on Earth (9:51 AM): Guitarist?

AtomSmashersRock (9:51 AM): I have a blues band and we will be performing this evening for a group of labor unionists. (shameless plug: http://www.canettes.ch)
Geneva is an interesting place - about 50% of the population is transient. That's why our band is so successful. We all have the blues... the rest of us didn't get return tickets.

Dave on Earth (9:52 AM): The we-can't-figure-out-the-universe blues?

AtomSmashersRock (9:53 AM): I have to admit that, during "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" I do use the line "whether you are working for the ILO trying to help the masses to work, or whether you are from the down the road at CERN, trying to work on mass, we all have something in common..."
ILO = International Labor Organization

Dave on Earth (9:54 AM): So Geneva's a modern-day wild west. Sort of. One more question, and then I'll let you get back to being a famous blues vocalist/LHC research scientist

AtomSmashersRock (9:54 AM): O.K.

Dave on Earth (9:54 AM): What's your favorite particle?

AtomSmashersRock (9:56 AM): This is the sound of me thinking.
Kinda quiet.

Dave on Earth (9:57 AM): ...

AtomSmashersRock (9:57 AM): I like the Z, as it decays to pretty much any particle and its anti-particle, but mainly because it got me my Ph.D.
But, I am also partial toward the B* (an excited state of the B), since I was the first to measure its spin.

Dave on Earth (9:58 AM): So you're into unpredictable, two-faced particles and excited, spinning particles. Seem to be good choices to me

AtomSmashersRock (9:59 AM): Hey - did you know that several thousand muons have passed through you during the course of this conversation?

Dave on Earth (9:59 AM): That's scary. Am I ok?

AtomSmashersRock (10:00 AM): You're fine. I think. Who would you want to pass through if you were a muon?

Dave on Earth (10:00 AM): Oooh... I'd rather pass through a thing. Like the Earth, or maybe the sun.

AtomSmashersRock (10:01 AM): You could, if you were a neutrino. And then you might also help to explain dark matter.

Dave on Earth (10:01 AM): Oh - then I guess I'd rather be a neutrino.

AtomSmashersRock (10:03 AM): There is a black hole in my son's closet. I stay away from that. I have to go help set up our stage, now. Or, I will be in trouble with my band.

Dave on Earth (10:03 AM): Well Steve, thanks for chatting for far longer than I anticipated, and good luck solving some of the universe's biggest mysteries!

AtomSmashersRock (10:03 AM): Thank you. It was my pleasure.

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