Astronomers Use FLAMINGO Simulations to Unlock Mysteries of the Universe
A team of astronomers is conducting the largest project of its kind to date by using computer simulations to explore the origins and evolution of the universe. The project, known as FLAMINGO simulations (Full-hydro Large-scale structure simulations with All-sky Mapping for the Interpretation of Next Generation Observations), is being run on a powerful supercomputer at the DiRAC facility in the UK.
The goal of the simulations is to understand how the universe came to be, starting from a state of unimaginable nothingness billions of years ago. The simulations aim to calculate the evolution of all known components of the universe, including normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy.
The largest simulation within the project consists of 300 billion particles, with a mass equivalent to that of a small galaxy. This simulation spans a cubic volume of space with edges measuring 10 billion light-years. To handle the computational workload required by these simulations, the team developed a new code called SWIFT, which efficiently distributes the work among 30,000 CPUs.
The initial results of the FLAMINGO simulations have been published in three papers. The first paper describes the methodology used, while the second presents the simulations themselves. The third paper focuses on addressing an issue known as the sigma 8, or S8 tension. This tension arises from a measurement of the cosmic microwave background, a faint microwave radiation that pervades the universe and dates back to the period just after the Big Bang. The analysis of this radiation suggests that the universe should have clumped together more than it has by now. Resolving this tension could have significant implications for our understanding of cosmology.
While the FLAMINGO simulations have not yet resolved the S8 tension, the researchers have discovered that accurate predictions require the inclusion of both normal matter and neutrinos. Previously, it was thought that dark matter alone would suffice in understanding the universe’s clumping behavior. However, it is now clear that the contribution of normal matter cannot be neglected, as it may be responsible for the discrepancies between observations and the current models.
Simulating normal matter is more challenging than simulating dark matter since normal matter interacts with pressure, radiation pressure, and galactic winds. These interactions are difficult to model accurately, requiring significant computational power. However, the team has conducted a series of simulations that track the formation of the universe’s structure, incorporating dark matter, normal matter, and neutrinos while varying the parameters to analyze their impact on the end result.
Despite these significant findings, the FLAMINGO data has not been made publicly available due to its size, which amounts to several petabytes. However, those interested in accessing the data can reach out to the corresponding author of the study.
The research conducted by this team of astronomers has the potential to shed light on some of the most profound questions we have about the origins and evolution of the universe. The project represents a groundbreaking step in our quest to understand the incomprehensible vastness of space and the wonders it contains.
The findings of the FLAMINGO simulations have been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and can be accessed through their website.