This is one discovery that will likely excite and disappoint physicists in equal measure. Large Hadron Collider (LHC) scientists have confirmed the detection of an ultra-rare subatomic decay for the first time, a decay that is predicted by the Standard Model. Unfortunately for supersymmetry proponents, that’s one hefty blow against their theory.

 

But before we can understand the bad news, it’s best to start with the good news.

The Good: Standard Model Glory

On its ongoing mission to explore the most primordial of matter of the Universe, the LHC slams particles (usually protons, sometimes higher-mass hadrons like lead nuclei) together at close to the speed of light. By doing this, for the briefest of moments, the energy conditions that existed shortly after the Big Bang are created.