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GAG-13: Higgs Boson Mystery Cache

Hidden : 2/7/2009
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is hidden for the GAG-13 event. Please do not search for this cache until 6:00 Friday Feb 13. After that's it's all yours to go and get 'em!


In particle physics, the Higgs boson is a massive scalar elementary particle predicted to exist by the Standard Model.

The Higgs boson is the only Standard Model particle that has not yet been observed. Experimental detection of the Higgs boson would help to explain how massless elementary particles can cause matter to have mass. More specifically, the Higgs boson would explain the difference between the massless photon, which mediates electromagnetism, and the relatively massive W and Z bosons, which mediate the weak force. If the Higgs boson exists, it would be an integral and pervasive component of the material world.

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, which came online on September 10, 2008 and will become fully operational in 2009, is expected to provide experimental evidence confirming or refuting the Higgs boson's existence.

In order to find his cache, you will have to create a virtual Large Hadron Collider (LHC) like the one at CERN, centered at the following coordinates: N 45° 19.095 W 075° 45.813. Draw a line from the known location for the W and Z Boson, to the center of the LHC. At the intersection of the LHC and this projection, this cache is waiting to be found!

UPDATE Feb-25: when determining the size of your virtual LHC, use a circumference rounded to the nearest km.

Can you find the mythical Higgs Boson? Please provide a photo of a boson if you can! Enjoy.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Pnpur pbagnvare vf n 2xt crnahg ohggre wne, unatvat va n gerr ng rlr yriry.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)