Cosmological simulations

Simulation of the cosmological formation of a cluster of galaxies in an expanding universe.

Computer simulations are a powerful and important tool for understanding the cosmos. A detailed simulation can provide a means for understanding processes which occur on such long time scales (millions or even billions of years) that it is not possible to to observe these events in the universe. Cosmological simulations are used to study galaxy collisions and also the formation of large scale structure in the universe. The introductory lesson below assumes no prior background in astronomy. The advanced lesson requires experience in building computer programs from source code.

Introductory

Advanced

A simulation of two galaxies colliding and merging generated by GADGET. The elapsed time is shown by T= billions of years.


See also

A NASA conception of the Andromeda–Milky Way collision using computer-generated imagery.

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References

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