The Australian Synchrotron, Clayton

Do you know what a synchrotron is? I didn't, until my visit to the Australian Synchrotron Open Day last year. It turns out that this major research facility is located in my backyard and I didn't even know about it! Simplistically, electrons are charged up, directed by a bunch of magnets to make them go round and round a circuit until they're whizzing around at the speed of light. As the particles move through the magnets, they emit radiation which are captured and directed to different parts of the facility called beamlines. There are 10 beamlines in the Australian Synchrotron currently. 

The radiation emitted by the particles is used for various research purposes for example, x-rays, planetary science, food safety (radiating food to kill germs).

The facility is shaped like a circle (by necessity) and bigger than football field. There were many scientists there on the Open Day to give the public an explanation of the research they do at each beamline. Some of the equipment was open for display, but no touching! They look unimpressive for the important work that they do. I remember one of them were covered by what looked to us like heavy duty aluminium foil, which is used because it is most efficient in diffusing heat quickly. 

The synchrotron was not running on the day for safety reasons, but on days when it is in operation, it is safe enough that researchers do not need to wear special suits. 

It was an eye opening experience for me. I did start from a low base, not being very interested in science and techy stuff. I learnt many new things from the Open Day (like what a synchrotron does, and the Haldron Collider - which is simplistically charges up particles and enables them to smash against each other in the hope of recreating another Big Bang). My understanding and description of the facility is therefore from a viewpoint of a lay person with no background in science. There is a much better description that I found here: https://theconversation.com/an-electrons-near-light-speed-tour-of-the-australian-synchrotron-34081