Bird Causes CERN Atom Smasher Shutdown

[jim mcnamara]

From the CNN:
http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/06/baguette-toting-bird-stalls-atom-smasher/

I hadn't heard about this except from here. Story: A piece of bread got into some external electronic equipment and caused a problem. It is thought a bird did it.

I find it odd that the LHC designers would leave sensitive electronics open to bird ejecta.
Anyone else hear about this - is it factual?

 

[Haelfix]

Believe it or not, but the history of experiments and accelerators are replete with stories like these.
Rats have caused malfunctions, stray beer bottles, cigarrete butts and so on..

In fact, to expect the unexpected is one of the trade marks of a good experimentalist and can sometimes even be taken to far. For instance, Penzias and Wilson nearly missed out on the discovery of the CMB, b/c they believe the signal they had received was due to bird droppings (they meticulously cleaned the dish b/c they were convinced there was an error).

 

[Vanadium 50]

Also, one normally sees electrical transformers outside. Since the power lines are outside anyway, it's not like you are ever going to have a fully indoors system.