What is your favourite "big science" apparatus?
 

With the LHC out there and TMT, OWL telescope, and other machines coming up, the question arises: What is your favorite earth based "big science" machine/apparatus/device?

To be clear, this is not what project? rather the mechanism. So SETI is out, as is GIMPS, the Human Genome Project, etc. The machine has to be on the earth (for the purposes of this question, items in an airplane or on a balloon are earth based, items on a rockets are not earth based).
"Big Science" does not mean a 14-inch telescope at your high school, it refers to something like LIGO, SLAC, Allen Telescope Array, Kamiokande, etc. PrimeNet does not qualify and is excluded.

No asking, What is that? if you haven't done a google search and looked on both page 1 and 2 for your answer. If you post an apparatus, please try to be kind and spell out the name and tell us what it does and why you like it.


Further clarification will be provided as the need arises.

It looks like you are you asking for big machines and not really big science. I doubt the size of the machine is strictly related to the amount science that can be done.

[quote=Uncwilly;186627]What is your favorite earth based "big science" machine/apparatus/device?[/quote]When I saw the title, I was all ready to vote for the Hubble. Then I read the fine print. :sad:

[QUOTE=retina;186631]It looks like you are you asking for big machines and not really big science. I doubt the size of the machine is strictly related to the amount science that can be done.[/QUOTE]I am not necessarilly asking about big machines. Note that it is [COLOR="DarkOrange"][SIZE="4"][B]"[/B][/SIZE]big science[SIZE="4"][B]"[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR] not [COLOR="DarkOrange"][B]big[/B][/COLOR] science. You could select an [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_force_microscope"]AFM[/URL] or an interferometer made up of 10cm telescopes. Something like [URL="http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/extreme2004/mission/submersiblealvin/index.html"]Alvin[/URL] would work. The total volume of data is not what we are asking for, rather impact, noteworthiness, the role it plays in a major discovery, the cost, or the public attention.

Okay then, I vote for Spirit and Opportunity, the two Mars rovers.

[size=1][color=#b0b0b0]Now, before you complain that they are not Earth based, I will already agree. But in fact you said "earth based", and these rovers [b]do[/b] perform their science on earth. And since the "e" is not capitalised then "earth" means soil, dirt - you know, the stuff on the ground. Hah![/color][/size]

[QUOTE=retina;186659]Okay then, I vote for Spirit and Opportunity, the two Mars rovers.[/QUOTE]They were borne on a rocket. This immediately excludes them. The rockets do not have to achieve orbit to be excluded.

My reference to Alvin and airplanes should have clarified that I meant our home planet, not dirt. To make it abundently clear, I mean Earth, Terra, our home planet, not space based, not in orbit (around any object), nor on other worlds, nor escaping the solar system. Items associated with the space programs, like the VAB or a pad crawler are ok, but, they need to be involved in the science aspect. A hydroplant might be cool and supply power to a science project, but it is not part of the science.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;186689]... not in orbit (around any object) ...[/QUOTE][pedantic]
Hehe, but we are all in orbit around the Sun, and the galactic centre.
[/pedantic]

Hard to pick a favorite, but the [URL="http://zpinch.sandia.gov/"]Z-Machine[/URL], at Sandia National Labs, is right up there. The strongest X-ray source built at 290 Terawatts, it is used in experimental nuclear fusion, radiation testing, nuclear blast simulations, etc. Retina must know all about these... I imagine there are several laying about his lair.

I think materials science is the most interesting. I am not sure if it meets your (strict and seemingly arbitrary) definition of "big science" but I can't choose between meta-materials and semiconductors. Perhaps I just say the "big science" testing machinery for semiconductors at places like IBM, Intel, etc.

I considered QC but I don't think that has any "big science" machines for it. And meta-materials are also promising but still mostly theoretical and I am not aware of any "big science" machines use for it.[QUOTE=bsquared;186695]Hard to pick a favorite, but the [URL="http://zpinch.sandia.gov/"]Z-Machine[/URL], at Sandia National Labs, is right up there. The strongest X-ray source built at 290 Terawatts, it is used in experimental nuclear fusion, radiation testing, nuclear blast simulations, etc. Retina must know all about these... I imagine there are several laying about his lair.[/QUOTE]Sure, these things are common place around here. My evil plan is almost complete, I just need a few more multi-mega-digit-primes and I'm done. So everyone keep crunching.

[QUOTE=retina;186698] Perhaps I just say the "big science" testing machinery for semiconductors at places like IBM, Intel, etc.[/QUOTE]
Can you provide a link so that we all can see what you are referring to.
I think that semi-conductor work can be "big science".

This is not a contest, so don't try to top each other, just express your personal preference.

[url=http://www.genome.gov/10001691]Large-Scale Genome Sequencing Program[/url]
Sloan Digital Sky Survey
Super Kamiokande