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A '''Higgs boson''' is an elementary particle whose direct existence is predicted by the [[Standard Model]] of particle physics, but proved to be difficult to observe.  It serves a key role in attempting to explain the origin of mass of other elementary particles of the Standard Model. Some writers believe that proof of the particle's existence will help undermine belief in [[Creationism]], [http://www.christianpost.com/news/evidence-of-higgs-boson-god-particle-disproves-religion-or-supports-creation-77752/] hence the nickname "God particle".

A '''Higgs boson''' is an elementary particle whose direct existence is predicted by the [[Standard Model]] of particle physics, but proved to be difficult to observe.<ref name=cern>{{cite web|url=https://home.cern/science/physics/higgs-boson|title=The Higgs Boson|accessdate=2018-12-20}}</ref> It serves a key role in attempting to explain the origin of mass of other elementary particles of the Standard Model. Some writers believe that proof of the particle's existence will help undermine belief in [[Creationism]], <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/evidence-of-higgs-boson-god-particle-disproves-religion-or-supports-creation-77752/|title=Evidence of Higgs Boson 'God Particle' Disproves Religion or Supports Creation?|accessdate=2018-12-20}}</ref> hence the nickname "God particle".

It has been indirectly observed with only a probability of certainty of 4 standard deviations by the Large Hadron Collider, and 5 standard deviations (which is equivalent to a certainty of approximately 99.9999667%) by ATLAS - particle accelerators based at [[CERN]] in Switzerland.  Physicist Leon Lederman coined the term "Goddamn Particle<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/why-the-higgs-is-called-the-god-particle-2015-5</ref>" to describe the Higgs boson.<ref>Lederman L., The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, New York:Dell, 1993</ref>   

It has been indirectly observed with only a probability of certainty of 4 standard deviations by the Large Hadron Collider, and 5 standard deviations (which is equivalent to a certainty of approximately 99.9999667%) by ATLAS - particle accelerators based at [[CERN]] in Switzerland.  Physicist Leon Lederman coined the term "Goddamn Particle<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-the-higgs-is-called-the-god-particle-2015-5|title=Here’s what scientists really wanted to call the world’s most famous particle|accessdate=2018-12-20}}</ref>" to describe the Higgs boson.<ref>Lederman L., The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, New York:Dell, 1993</ref>   

On July 4, 2012, Physicists at [[CERN]] announced the observation of a particle whose properties are consistent with mathematical predictions relating to the Higgs boson. However, CERN has yet to definitively state that the particle they observed is, in fact, the Higgs.<ref>[http://io9.com/5923494/what-todays-higgs-boson-discovery-really-means?]</ref> The particle cannot, technically, be confirmed to exist with certainty - and therefore the best that can be said is a new particle has been discovered, the observed properties of the particle are consistent with those predicted of Higgs boson. The process now begins to determine the precise mechanism by which the Higgs boson confers mass, as its existence has been confirmed to the level of accuracy deemed necessary to constitute discovery.  That level of accuracy is the "5 sigma test", that says that the probability that the discovery was a statistical fluke is less than one in a million.

On July 4, 2012, Physicists at [[CERN]] announced the observation of a particle whose properties are consistent with mathematical predictions relating to the Higgs boson. However, CERN has yet to definitively state that the particle they observed is, in fact, the Higgs.<ref name=io9>{{cite web|url=http://io9.com/5923494/what-todays-higgs-boson-discovery-really-means?|title=What Today's Higgs Boson Discovery Really Means|accessdate=2018-12-20}}</ref> The particle cannot, technically, be confirmed to exist with certainty - and therefore the best that can be said is a new particle has been discovered, the observed properties of the particle are consistent with those predicted of Higgs boson. The process now begins to determine the precise mechanism by which the Higgs boson confers mass, as its existence has been confirmed to the level of accuracy deemed necessary to constitute discovery.  That level of accuracy is the "5 sigma test", that says that the probability that the discovery was a statistical fluke is less than one in a million.

== Overview ==

== Overview ==

The Higgs boson is a [[boson]], whose group includes other fundamental building blocks of the universe, such as photons. The Higgs boson, however, is unique in that it allows mass, under the Higgs theory, in the Standard Model. It is believed to be around 126 GeV (Gigaelectronvolt) in mass.<ref>http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Higgs+particle+what+what+does/6881979/story.html</ref>  

The Higgs boson is a [[boson]], whose group includes other fundamental building blocks of the universe, such as [[photon]]s. The Higgs boson, however, is unique in that it allows mass, under the Higgs theory, in the Standard Model. It is believed to be around 125&nbsp;[[electronvolt|GeV]] (Gigaelectronvolt) in mass.<ref name=cern/>  

===2012 CERN discovery===

===2012 CERN discovery===

In July 2012 CERN announced evidence of discovery of a boson with an energy level and other properties consistent with those expected in a Higgs boson. The available data raised a high statistical likelihood that the Higgs boson had been detected.<ref>http://press.web.cern.ch/press/background/B01-Higgs_en.html</ref> This high statistical likelihood is due, in part, to the separate obtaining by two distinct teams of data within the realm of statistical error for the predicted properties of the Higgs.<ref>[http://io9.com/5923494/what-todays-higgs-boson-discovery-really-means?]</ref>

In July 2012 [[CERN]] announced evidence of discovery of a boson with an energy level and other properties consistent with those expected in a Higgs boson. The available data raised a high statistical likelihood that the Higgs boson had been detected.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://home.cern/news/press-release/cern/new-results-indicate-particle-discovered-cern-higgs-boson|title=New results indicate that particle discovered at CERN is a Higgs boson|accessdate=2018-12-20}}</ref> This high statistical likelihood is due, in part, to the separate obtaining by two distinct teams of data within the realm of statistical error for the predicted properties of the Higgs.<ref name=io9/>

==Reaction in the popular press and blogosphere==

==Reaction in the popular press and blogosphere==