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The Higgs boson: What it is and why it matters

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The observation by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, of the Higgs boson was hailed as one of the most significant scientific events of recent times. What is the Higgs, why is it so important, and what does the observation of this particle mean for our understanding of the universe? These questions and more will be addressed in this colloquium. The esteemed Professor Gates, who recently received the National Medal of Science from the President and serves on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, is widely known for his ability to explain complex scientific ideas to the general public.

Anyone outside NIST wishing to attend must be sponsored by a NIST employee and receive a visitor badge. For more information, contact Stephanie Shaw at 301-975-2667. Colloquia are videotaped and available in the NIST Research Library.

S. James Gates, Jr., University System of Maryland Regents Professor; and John S. Toll, Professor of Physics, Center for String and Particle Theory Director, University of Maryland

Created March 8, 2013, Updated January 5, 2017