# Fermilab > high-energy particle physics laboratory in Illinois, USA **Wikidata**: [Q337641](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337641) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermilab) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fermilab ## Summary Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory) is a high-energy particle physics laboratory and United States national laboratory located in Batavia, Illinois. Founded in 1967 and operated by the Fermi Research Alliance, LLC, it serves as a primary research institute under the United States Department of Energy. The facility is named after the physicist Enrico Fermi. ## Key Facts * **Formal Name:** Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL). * **Inception:** November 21, 1967. * **Location:** Batavia, Illinois, United States (Coordinates: 41.8319°N, 88.2572°W). * **Classification:** Research institute; United States national laboratory. * **Operator:** Fermi Research Alliance, LLC. * **Parent Organization:** United States Department of Energy. * **Namesake:** Enrico Fermi. * **Key Facilities:** Tevatron (particle accelerator), Main Injector, Lederman Science Center. * **Software Developed:** Fermi Linux (created August 31, 1998) and Scientific Linux (created May 10, 2004). * **Website:** https://www.fnal.gov/ ## FAQs ### Q: Where is Fermilab located? A: Fermilab is located in Batavia, Illinois, within the Central Time Zone. Its specific coordinates are 41.8319° N latitude and 88.2572° W longitude. ### Q: Who operates and oversees Fermilab? A: The laboratory is operated by Fermi Research Alliance, LLC. It is affiliated with the United States Department of Energy as its parent organization. ### Q: What computing platforms originated at Fermilab? A: Fermilab is credited with the creation of "Fermi Linux," a Linux distribution launched in 1998, and "Scientific Linux," a distribution initiated in 2004. ## Why It Matters Fermilab is a pivotal institution in the landscape of American science and global physics. As a high-energy particle physics laboratory, it provides the essential infrastructure—such as the Tevatron and Main Injector—required for advancing human understanding of the fundamental components of the universe. Beyond pure physics, the laboratory plays a significant role in scientific computing and software development. It contributed to the broader scientific community by developing and maintaining Linux distributions like Scientific Linux, which became a standard for many research institutions worldwide. Furthermore, its status as a member of arXiv (specifically Tier 6 as of 2021) underscores its active participation in the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Through its public-facing Lederman Science Center and substantial social media presence, Fermilab also serves as a major hub for science education and public engagement. ## Notable For * **High-Energy Physics:** Housing complex particle accelerator infrastructure, specifically the Tevatron and the Main Injector. * **Scientific Computing:** Developing "Scientific Linux" and "Fermi Linux," widely used operating systems in the research community. * **National Significance:** Being a designated United States national laboratory funded by the Department of Energy. * **Historical Legacy:** Being named after Enrico Fermi, a central figure in nuclear physics. * **Affiliation:** Connections to notable figures such as mathematician Steven G. Johnson. ## Body ### Overview and Location Fermilab is situated in Batavia, Illinois, United States. The site is accessible via Kirk and Pine St, Batavia, Illinois, 60510. Geographically, it lies within the Central Time Zone at approximately 41.83° N latitude and -88.25° W longitude. The facility is officially recognized as a research institute and a United States national laboratory. ### Operational Structure The laboratory's inception dates to November 21, 1967. While it is a United States national laboratory falling under the purview of the United States Department of Energy, its daily operations are managed by the Fermi Research Alliance, LLC. ### Facilities and Infrastructure The laboratory grounds feature several distinct technical and educational facilities: * **The Tevatron:** Identified in facility imagery as a rear ring, this is a key particle accelerator. * **The Main Injector:** Identified as the ring in the foreground of facility overviews, this component serves as a crucial part of the accelerator complex. * **Lederman Science Center:** A subsidiary facility dedicated to educational purposes. ### Technical Contributions Fermilab has made distinct contributions to scientific software: * **Fermi Linux:** A Linux distribution specifically used at the lab, inception date August 31, 1998. * **Scientific Linux:** A Linux distribution developed at the lab, inception date May 10, 2004. ### Affiliations and Identifiers The entity is cataloged under numerous international scientific databases and identifiers, including: * **ISNI:** 0000000106750679 / 0000000107224312 * **GRID ID:** grid.417851.e * **ROR ID:** 020hgte69 * **Wikidata:** Q118398 (Member of arXiv Tier 6 as of 2021). * **Social Media:** The laboratory maintains verified profiles on Twitter (@fermilab), YouTube (channel ID UCD5B6VoXv41fJ-IW8Wrhz9A), Instagram, and LinkedIn. As of mid-2024, its YouTube channel boasted over 790,000 subscribers. ## References 1. GRID Release 2017-01-10 2. BnF authorities 3. Library of Congress Name Authority File 4. CiNii Research 5. [Our Members / Tier 6](https://web.archive.org/web/20211129171645/https://arxiv.org/about/ourmembers) 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. Czech National Authority Database 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. GeoNames 10. Google Knowledge Graph 11. GRID Release 2015-12-14 12. GRID Release 2016-12-06 13. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions 14. [Source](https://www.iana.org/assignments/enterprise-numbers/enterprise-numbers) 15. [Source](https://orcid.org/signin) 16. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph 17. KBpedia 18. YouTube API 19. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)