After a transformer failed earlier this week, CERN’s LHC has run into another problem.  One of the 1700 superconducting magnets has failed, leaking helium (gas) into the tunnel that houses the collider.  In order to repair the problem, large parts of the tunnel may need to be brought up to room temperature to allow repairs to take place.  Large parts (up to 1/8) may need to be heated up, and cooling the section down again could take a very long time (weeks).

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