The ATHENA apparatus that recently produced and detected the first cold antihydrogen atoms is described. Its main features, which are described herein, are: an external positron accumulator, making it possible to accumulate large
numbers of positrons; a separate antiproton catching trap, optimizing the catching, cooling and handling of antiprotons; a
unique high resolution antihydrogen annihilation detector, allowing an clear determination that antihydrogen has been
produced; an open, modular design making variations in the experimental approach possible and a ‘‘nested’’ Penning trap
situated in a cryogenic, 3T magnetic field environment used for the mixing of the antiprotons and positrons