Scientists Achieve the Largest Universe Simulation to Date

Scientists Achieve the Largest Universe Simulation to Date

A groundbreaking achievement in cosmology has been unveiled with the creation of the largest and most detailed simulation of the universe ever conducted. Named FLAMINGO, this project marks a milestone in astrophysics, capturing the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and other cosmic structures over 9 billion light-years of simulated space. Developed by the Virgo Consortium, this simulation combines the effects of dark matter, ordinary matter, and dark energy, presenting a more comprehensive picture of the universe’s dynamics than previous models.

Unlike earlier simulations that predominantly focused on dark matter, FLAMINGO incorporates the influence of normal matter, accounting for phenomena such as intergalactic winds caused by black holes and supernovae. These additions provide insights into the growth of cosmic structures and help address discrepancies between theoretical models and astronomical observations, such as the Hubble tension, which highlights inconsistencies in measurements of the universe’s expansion rate.

The simulation uses over 300 billion resolution elements, each representing the mass of a small galaxy, within a cubic volume of space measuring 9 billion light-years on each side. This immense computational feat was made possible by cutting-edge supercomputing resources, enabling scientists to delve deeper into mysteries like the uneven distribution of matter and potential flaws in the standard cosmological model.

FLAMINGO also offers a critical tool for interpreting data from observatories like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the European Space Agency’s Euclid Space Telescope. The insights gained will support efforts to reconcile current observational data with theoretical predictions, potentially transforming our understanding of the universe.

This achievement exemplifies the synergy between advanced technology and scientific curiosity, promising a new era of discovery in unraveling the universe’s greatest mysteries.