There are many reasons why 1978 is considered a strange year in history. Among other things, this was the time the first “test tube” baby was created. Jim Jones also convinced his 900 parish members to ingest poisoned Kool-Aid. However, we daresay that nothing could beat the story of a Soviet scientist who stuck his head inside a particle accelerator. It was a moment that sent the scientific community into a frenzy. So what exactly happened?
What A Particle Accelerator Is
Let us start with an explanation of what a particle accelerator is. This is a machine that shoots particles at incredibly fast speeds. Its main focus is to glean exactly what happens when you isolate the way physics works on a minuscule scale. As an example, it is much easier to understand the mechanics behind an apple falling than observing what happens to a particle in the same position. Therefore, a particle accelerator aims to provide us with a way to study things at diminutive levels. However, what would happen when a person receives a dose of these tiny particles? This is a difficult question to answer for several reasons. Among other things, it is both unethical and unusual to use humans in such experiments.