Imagine exploring the vastness of the universe from the comfort of your own home. Scientists have made this dream a reality with the creation of the largest computer simulation of the cosmos, now available as a free download.
The Uchuu simulation, named after the Japanese word for “outer space,” offers a detailed glimpse into the universe’s evolution over more than 13 billion years.
Developed by an international team associated with the Center for Computational Astrophysics, Uchuu is powered by ATERUI II, hailed as the world’s most powerful astronomical supercomputer.
This virtual universe is a monumental feat, containing 2.1 trillion particles spread across 9.6 billion virtual light-years.
Uchuu’s chief aim is to study the elusive dark matter and its influence on the universe’s expansion.
According to PhD student Julia F. Ereza from Spain’s Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, “Uchuu is like a time machine,” allowing users to explore different eras of the cosmos, zoom in on individual galaxies, or pull back for a view of entire galaxy clusters.
The creation of Uchuu required immense computing power and storage.
The project utilized over 40,000 computer cores and racked up 20 million computer hours, generating a staggering 3,000 terabytes of data.
Through sophisticated data compression techniques, the team was able to condense this data down to 100 terabytes, making it accessible for download.
The detailed simulation does not focus on individual stars and planets but examines the actions of dark matter during the universe’s expansion.
Dark matter, composing the majority of the universe’s matter, is crucial in understanding galaxy formation and convergence.
Data from the simulation allows scientists to identify features such as galaxy clusters and dark matter halos within galaxies.
This level of detail is significant for researchers working on scientific data mining, an area expected to become even more vital as more large-scale sky surveys and simulations are developed.
For those interested in diving into this virtual universe, the raw data, as well as the tools to explore it, are available on skiesanduniverses.org and the project’s GitHub page.
Although storing all 100 terabytes of Uchuu may require a costly investment in high-capacity storage, those curious to explore on a smaller scale can access the data online.
The Uchuu simulation represents a new frontier in understanding the universe, providing insights into the cosmic dance between galaxies and dark matter.
Whether you’re a professional researcher or an armchair astronomer, Uchuu offers an extraordinary opportunity to delve into the mysteries of our universe.