Durham University scientists lead the largest-ever computational simulation to enhance our understanding of the universe’s structure and future. The breakthrough could be a game-changer in the field of cosmology.
In a groundbreaking effort, an international research team led by scientists from Durham University in the United Kingdom has executed the largest computational simulation in scientific history. The ambitious project aims to deepen our understanding of the universe’s large-scale structure and could significantly improve scientists’ insights into the origins and future of our cosmos.
The monumental achievement has been documented in three research papers published in the Royal Astronomical Society’s journal “Monthly Notices.” The first paper delineates the methodologies employed, the second elaborates on the simulation processes, and the third scrutinizes the simulation’s effectiveness in replicating the vast scale of the universe.
What is Computational Simulation?
Computational astronomical simulations employ mathematical equations and available physical laws to model the behavior and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena. These tools are indispensable to scientists, particularly in the field of cosmology. Such simulations facilitate the testing of various theories and hypotheses about the universe’s origin, structure, and evolution, juxtaposing them with observations from telescopes and satellites.
The value of these simulations extends to forecasting the universe’s future—such as its rate of expansion and ultimate fate—and exploring scenarios and phenomena that are difficult or impossible to observe directly. This includes the formation of the first stars, effects of dark matter and dark energy, and interactions between galaxies and black holes.
Unveiling the Durham University’s Novel Simulation
Conducted on a supercomputer at Durham University named “Cosma 8,” the new simulation project called “Flamengo,” costs over $10 million. The supercomputer operates with the power of more than 30,000 central processing units (CPUs). To put this into perspective, Cosma 8’s capabilities are equivalent to approximately 17,000 household computers.
While previous computational simulations focused solely on dark matter, which constitutes just about 27% of the universe’s composition, Flamengo incorporates dark energy (68% of the universe) and ordinary matter (5% of the universe) in addition to dark matter.
The state-of-the-art simulation utilizes 300 billion discrete elements, each representing the mass of a small galaxy within a cube spanning edges of 10 billion light-years.
Researchers from Durham University believe that the results of this new simulation will serve as a landmark in the field of cosmology. The outcomes will be particularly significant when compared with the data from recently launched space missions like the Euclid Space Telescope by the European Space Agency and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Any discrepancies between the simulation results and observational data could point scientists toward new avenues in cosmological research.
