Scientists at the Brookhaven National Lab helped launch the world?s most powerful particle accelerator Wednesday.

The atomic particle accelerator, dubbed the ?Big Bang Machine,? went online early Wednesday in Switzerland. The $8 billion machine is 17 miles long and the most expensive science project ever embarked upon.

BNL scientists played a large role in creating the accelerator in Europe. Scientists worldwide hope the machine will help them understand the makeup of the universe.

To watch a video presentation of the ?Big Bang? experiment, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.