Linear acceleration, circular boosting in 4 packets with pulses, further acceleration in the proton synchotron (a larger ring) and gain of mass, further energy addition in the super proton synchotron, and finally the LHC itself with 2 rings with opposite directions, which then allows the actual collisions. Really neat.

As for the black hole doomsday scenario that cookie mentioned wasn’t upon us just yet: It isn’t due until October 21st (source, via), so long they won’t do any collisions and just test the two individual rings. Also, it’s just one of many such scenarios, every one just as improbable as the next.

Random related tidbit, an Indian girl commited suicide because she was afraid of dying (via Arathor.net). Tragic, which doesn’t quite mean that I understand it -- as Ramuel in that thread put it so eloquently:

I really don’t get it. I mean if you were thinking about killing yourself and believed the end of the world was nigh, why not just save yourself the hassle and wait until you get sucked into oblivion?

Everybody’s celebrating, even Google, with one of their famous doodles (uhm … does “please do not use them elsewhere” mean I’m not supposed to show it here?):

Google LHC Doodle

Onwards, a few explanations why it’s just a little bang and not a big bang CERN is producing, and an explanation why there won’t be dangerous black holes, and a less science-ey one too. So, none of the other particle colliders will kill us any time soon, either.

Hopefully.

Update 13:41: Very nice site that answers all questions, via kuschti @ Twitter.

http://www.hasthelhcdestroyedtheearth.com/

Feel the source, Luke.

Update 14:02: For up to date news, follow CERN on Twitter.