Scientists Make Major Breakthrough in Simulating the Universe
A team of researchers from Germany, the U.S., and the UK have made a significant breakthrough in simulating the universe using a set of simulations called “MillenniumTNG”. This simulation project aims to trace the buildup of galaxies and cosmic structure across time, providing new insight into the standard cosmological model of the Universe.
The simulations take into account various aspects of cosmic evolution, including regular matter, dark matter, neutrinos, and the mysterious dark energy. With over 120,000 computer cores at their disposal, the researchers were able to track the formation of approximately a hundred million galaxies in an area of space around 2,400 million light-years across.
The simulated area of the universe closely resembled the distribution and formation of galaxies, allowing cosmologists to extrapolate assumptions about the entire Universe and its history. It also provides an opportunity to investigate potential “cracks” in the Standard Cosmological Model.
The model, known as the Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) model, is based on data from various sources, including cosmic microwave radiation and the arrangement of galaxies along dark matter filaments. However, there are still discrepancies that scientists hope the simulations can help resolve.
One area of exploration is galaxy alignments. Astronomers have observed a tendency for galaxies to orient themselves in similar directions, although the reasons for this phenomenon remain unknown. The MillenniumTNG simulations may allow astronomers to measure these alignments in the real world through their simulated counterparts.
Additionally, the simulations are shedding light on the early stages of the Universe’s formation, particularly after the Epoch of Reionization. Some early galaxies observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) appear surprisingly large for such a young Universe. The simulations suggest that early star formation may have been more efficient or that massive stars formed more frequently.
As cosmologists continue to study and refine their understanding of the Universe, simulations like MillenniumTNG play a crucial role. However, their accuracy depends on the data they receive and the assumptions made by the science teams. The simulations produced over 3 petabytes of data and offer a valuable asset to cosmology.
While there is still much to learn about the Universe and its origins, the MillenniumTNG simulations are a significant step towards a better understanding of its evolution. The team continues to build on the success of previous simulation projects, further expanding our knowledge of galaxy formation, distributions, and other related topics.