THE BIG MILESTONE -- THE FIRST PHYSICS RUN

The collider ran a number of times ( runs ) for long periods doing collisions. This has provided the first real science data for the experiments. It has also fed the data to all the scientists so they can analyze the data for interesting events using the procedures previously laid out. This is the first time this whole process has been done. It apparently has gone very smoothly and the scientists are off busy analyzing now. This was a major milestone.

The experiments have possible collision data up for all to see

4 bunches loaded into the LHC

The collider was loaded with 4 bunches of protons for the first time. Eventually thousands of bunches will be loaded. This was the first test of loading more then one bunch. The collider will not simply take a single bunch of protons and smack them together. It will take a whole bunch of bunches and smack them together creating a almost continuous collisions for many hours. Loading bunches into the beam was a important milestone.

Stable Beams

Stable Beams were declared for HOURS.. Stable beams means the beams were very stable and well controlled. This allowed sensitive detectors to be moved close to the beams without fear of damage. This also meant the collider ran for hours without any one touching controls.

Beam lifetime

Im not sure of the actual length, I am asking now, but it appears they ran one set of beams for at least 4+ hours. The LHC was so well tuned up it required no adjustments at all during that time. It ran like a top.

Record setting energies - again

I saw the beams reach 1.48TeV  They may have been higher I am asking about the exact peak now.. I will update this if it was higher