Through the immersive experience “LHC: An Immersive Experience, ” the SAPHIR Millennium Institute introduced thousands of visitors to particle physics and the Large Hadron Collider during Heritage Day 2026.
What is it like to walk through the tunnel of the world’s largest particle accelerator? How are the elementary particles that make up the universe studied? And what role do Chilean scientists play at one of the most important laboratories on the planet?
These were some of the questions that thousands of people were able to answer during Heritage Day 2026 thanks to “LHC: An Immersive Experience, ” the interactive exhibit presented by the SAPHIR Millennium Institute in the area dedicated to scientific heritage organized by the Science and Society Division of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation.
The initiative was part of a special program that brought together various research centers across the country to demonstrate that science is also a fundamental part of Chile's cultural heritage.
And the public’s interest was clear. According to official figures released by the Ministry of Science, the area dedicated to scientific heritage welcomed a total of 9,858 visitors, of whom 1,175 were children and 8,683 were adults, making it one of the most popular attractions of the entire event.
With a booth measuring approximately 25 square meters, SAPHIR invited attendees to take a tour of some of today’s greatest scientific challenges, giving the public a glimpse into the work being carried out at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, where Chilean researchers are actively involved.
The experience began with a first station where visitors learned about the history of the relationship between Chile and CERN, as well as the participation of Chilean scientists in international particle physics experiments. Through short, interactive talks, visitors of all ages could discover what elementary particles are, how proton collisions occur, and why researchers are seeking to answer some of the most fundamental questions about the origin and workings of the universe.
Then came one of the most striking moments of the tour: entering an inflatable tunnel that housed a four-meter-long replica of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) tube. There, visitors could imagine how particles travel at speeds close to that of light before colliding inside the gigantic detectors installed beneath the French-Swiss border.
Finally, the experience culminated in a virtual reality immersion. Using Meta Quest VR headsets, visitors had the opportunity to take a virtual tour of CERN’s facilities, enter the LHC tunnel, and view some of the most sophisticated detectors ever built by humankind from a unique vantage point.
One of the aspects most appreciated by the public was the opportunity to interact directly with young researchers affiliated with the institute. Throughout the day, SAPHIR master’s and doctoral students Addles Castillo, Daniella Mora, Bruno Zerega, Paulo Areyuna, Benjamín Bustos, Nicolás Faúndez, and Gabriel Freaczinet guided attendees through the experience, answering questions and sharing their passion for particle physics and scientific research.
The event also featured the active participation of Felipe Olivares León, Executive Director of the SAPHIR Millennium Institute, and Patricio Grunert, Director of Outreach, Communications, and External Relations, who oversaw the proceedings and coordinated the various outreach activities held during the event.
The SAPHIR Millennium Institute is a research center funded by the Millennium Science Initiative of the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), a program supported by the Chilean Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation. Through this funding, the institute conducts cutting-edge research in particle physics, trains new generations of scientists, and promotes initiatives that bring scientific knowledge to society.
The successful turnout for Heritage Day 2026 demonstrates that there is growing public interest in understanding how modern science works and what contribution Chile makes to major international collaborations. Beyond the numbers, the event allowed thousands of people to experience firsthand how scientific research can be transformed into an engaging, entertaining, and accessible experience for all ages.
The events that took place during Heritage Day are part of a story that continues to unfold across the country. Conceived as a traveling exhibition, LHC: An Immersive Experience has allowed thousands of people to explore the fascinating world of particle physics and the work Chile is carrying out in collaboration with CERN. In 2026 alone, the exhibition has visited two regions of the country and drawn more than 30,000 people, confirming the public’s enormous interest in learning how scientific knowledge is built and what role Chilean researchers play in some of the world’s most important scientific collaborations. Through each of its stations, direct dialogue with students and researchers, and the opportunity to take a virtual tour of the European laboratory’s facilities, the experience has succeeded in breaking down barriers and bringing cutting-edge science to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
The SAPHIR Millennium Institute will continue to promote this initiative in the coming months, bringing the experience to new cultural, educational, and community settings, with the aim of further strengthening the link between scientific research and society.
Because if cultural heritage reflects what a society values, preserves, and passes on to future generations, science also has a place in that story. And for one day, right in the heart of Santiago, thousands of people were able to travel from Chile to the very heart of CERN without ever leaving the city.
