I found the man in the most famous physics picture ever

The most famous image in particle physics is this one of the ATLAS detector at CERN. It shows the huge scale of the machine especially because there’s a person stood there for scale. But my question has always been WHO is this person? On my trip to CERN last month I was on a mission to find him... #spiritofATLAS

To all my willing interviewees - Roger, Max, Claudia, Merin, Tara, Sam, Clara and Aaron - you guys are the best for giving up your time. Also, a giant THANK YOU to Michaela Livingston-Banks (of Nailing Science fame) who took time away from the desk to follow me around with a camera all week. And a HUGE thank you to Stephanie Hills at CERN for scheduling this whole trip and for finding Roger for me

Background music is all from the YouTube audio library and includes: The Plan is Working, Tiptoe out the Back, Adventure Theme, Magical Gravity, Spruce Tree and Saving the World.

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Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist researching galaxies and supermassive black holes at Christ Church at the University of Oxford.

[edew]

She seems surprised that another cog in the machine is humble. Dudes probably been working there 40 years. Best known achievement? "That guy in the picture". It's because of guys like this, I have electricity, a phone in one hand and a tablet in the other. Thanks for highlighting one of these unsung heroes!

[inerlogic]

Dr. Becky from now on, forever, at work, anytime she walks by that photo with anyone else in earshot:

"That's Roger! I met him!"

[tehbonehead]

So... you met the photographer who took the photo? 🤔

I guess you could say you know...
😎
WHO FRAMED ROGER RUPER?

[DougHanchard]

By far, your interview with Dr. Roger Ruber is one of the best I have ever watched. His passion for physics is clearly evident and why we should continue to invest in physics research.

Dr. Ruber isn't in it for fame or a Nobel Physics (edited) Prize. You can tell, he wants too make a difference, regardless of who gets credit.

I'm glad you tracked him down because I think you have the same passion and path as Dr. Ruber.

Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode.

[AdrianoCasemiro]

The for scale guy is a nice man. You are a great interviewer, even better detective. Having fun, right, Sherlock?

[eliscanfield]

You're such a nerd, in the nicest way. I love it :)

[JaxCR]

I am a high school student here in America and I took a tour of a college today and it just so happened that Dr. Ruber was here taking his daughter on the same tour as well. I got to talk to him and he was incredibly nice, and as someone who is potentially interested in this as a career field it is a surreal experience to have found out that I met THE man in this photo. Very cool video, thank you for sharing!

[sciencepetr]

Becky, you're on fire. The videos you have made recently have been so bloody amazing!!

[alnilam]

I could not agree more with Dr.Ruber what a beautiful description and way of describing how medicine and science can work together and, Dr Becky thank you for finding and conducting this interview!

[DecadesApartBandSTL]

Video's like this is why I have so much respect for you! You are such a fun 'real' person! Thank you for being you!

[williamwest]

Can you imagine being one of the 10, 000 people involved in that? I would have swept the floor, just so I could say when asked, "What do you do?" "Who, me? Oh I work at the LHC." 😀

[octivia]

Dr.Becky: Who is this?
ATLAS: shrugs.

[lmaoroflcopter]

Brilliant interview! Love it! And finally Roger gets the recognition he deserves :)

[Dingomush]

You are such a fan girl, but I’ve often wondered about him to, when the pic hit Scientific American. Thank you for clearing that up.

[ojkolsrud]

Becky, that last picture made me laugh more than I've done for several weeks. You're just brilliant.
Also, thanks for finding Roger, and letting him sort of be the image of everyone who isn't mentioned anywhere, but still contributed in smaller or greater degrees to huge projects like LHC.

[tillleiden]

We had a 5m version of this image in the lecture room. I look every time at this image and wondered myself. The greatest moment however was when I had the chanchse to stand infront of the opend ATLAS detector when it was maintanenced. One of the best moments of my life ... in physics :)

[AudraK]

I have always absolutely loved how bubbly and charismatic you are! Laughing and being so light hearted with everyone you meet is contagious and beautiful ❤

[camhyde]

such a great episode... i've always noticed Roger... really great you found him and what his role was and is now

[falxonPSN]

This is a great video that could have just been a fun and silly scavenger hunt but turned into a great and interesting interview. Well done, Dr. Becky!

[sbartdbarcelona]

So fabulous. This is my favorite episode so far.