The 10 Largest Science Experiments on Earth
Summary of the 10 Biggest Science Experiments on Earth
1. **LIGO**: Detects gravitational waves using massive laser interferometers in Washington and Louisiana.
2. **LHC**: CERN’s 16.7-mile collider studies subatomic particles like the Higgs boson.
3. **AmazonFACE**: Tests CO2 effects on the Amazon rainforest to understand climate change impacts.
4. **Marine Carbon Capture**: Equatic removes CO2 from seawater and produces hydrogen as a byproduct.
5. **ManyBabies**: A global study of infant behavior and language development.
6. **IceCube**: Antarctic ice observatory detects neutrinos to study cosmic events.
7. **COVID-19 Studies**: Research on how identity and messaging shaped pandemic behavior.
8. **Beal Seed Experiment**: Long-term study on seed viability, ongoing since 1879.
9. **FAST Telescope**: World’s largest radio telescope, discovering pulsars and surveying the universe.
10. **EHT**: Global telescope network captured the first black hole image and studies supermassive black holes.
From global telescope networks to psychology studies spanning 67 countries, these are some of the most ambitious science experiments ever undertaken.
Gravitational Wave Hunting
Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by massive cosmic events like black hole collisions. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detects these waves with its massive instruments in Washington and Louisiana. Each has two 2.5-mile-long arms, which use laser beams and mirrors to measure tiny distortions caused by passing waves. LIGO has uncovered phenomena like neutron star mergers and black hole collisions, pushing the boundaries of astrophysical understanding.
World’s Largest Atom Smasher
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is the world’s largest particle accelerator, a 16.7-mile ring beneath the Franco-Swiss border. It smashes particles together at near-light speeds to uncover subatomic mysteries like the Higgs boson. The LHC is also the coldest and largest refrigerator on Earth, operating at temperatures colder than outer space.
Miniature Amazon Rainforests
The AmazonFACE project simulates elevated carbon dioxide levels in the Amazon rainforest to study climate change’s effects. Researchers test six experimental plots, each with 400 plant species, to observe how increased CO2 affects photosynthesis, water use, and the forest’s overall health. This decade-long experiment provides crucial insights into the resilience and vulnerabilities of the “lungs of the planet.”
A Massive Carbon Capture Facility
The Equatic facility accelerates natural carbon absorption in seawater, removing carbon at a rate far faster than the ocean’s natural processes. By using an electrical process, the plant produces bicarbonate to sequester carbon and creates hydrogen fuel as a byproduct. This technology could play a critical role in reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases.
A World of Babies
The ManyBabies project unites researchers worldwide to study infant development. By pooling data from thousands of babies, the initiative has revealed that infants prefer baby talk and are now exploring how babies develop social understanding and abstract thinking.
A City-Size Antarctic Ice Observatory
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory detects elusive neutrinos using a cubic kilometer of Antarctic ice. Sensors embedded deep in the ice detect light produced when neutrinos interact with the medium, revealing insights into cosmic phenomena like supernovas and black holes. Plans for IceCube Gen-2 will expand its capabilities eightfold.
A Global Psychology Study
During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers conducted worldwide studies to understand human behavior during crises. One study found that a strong sense of national identity correlated with greater adherence to public health measures. Another showed that messages emphasizing autonomy were more effective in encouraging social distancing than those relying on shame or pressure.
A Centuries-Long Plant Experiment
The Beal Seed Experiment, started in 1879, tests how long seeds can remain viable underground. Every 20 years, researchers unearth a bottle of seeds buried at Michigan State University. The experiment has already lasted over 140 years and may continue into the next century.
China’s Giant Radio Telescope
The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in China is the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world. It scans the cosmos for pulsars, interstellar signals, and other phenomena, and its sensitivity is poised to revolutionize astronomical surveys.
A Globe-Spanning Telescope Network
The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) combines observatories worldwide to capture images of black holes. This collaboration provided humanity’s first-ever glimpse of a black hole’s event horizon and continues to unveil details about quasars and galactic cores.
These massive experiments reflect humanity’s quest to unravel the universe’s deepest mysteries, tackle climate challenges, and understand ourselves better.