This virtual reality, the most
detailed look at the organization of the cosmos yet, carries us through over 13
billion years in the lifespan of the cosmos in just two minutes. The Illustris video is the effort
of a team directed by Mark Vogelberger at MIT using a system of supercomputers.
It simulations, among other things, how the universe inflates, how galaxies are
made (like our own Milky Way), and the procedure of how stars and black holes
are made. There are a numeral of
applications, but one of the most motivating ones that the team highlighted is
that, by relating the simulation to real interpretations, we can get an enhanced
idea of how thoroughly our theories about the mechanisms of the universe reflect
reality.
The consequences of the
simulation will also be detailed in an article in Nature coming out tomorrow.
In the period in-between, you can learn more about out the Illustris project at
its website.