Supercomputer models universe 

Supercomputer models universe

SAMTA CRUZ, Calif., Sep 29, 2011 (Menafn - UPI via COMTEX) --U.S. scientists have released what they say is the most accurate simulation of the universe to date that will provide a new benchmark for cosmological studies.

Physicists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, said the so-called Bolshoi supercomputer simulation is the most accurate and detailed cosmological simulation to date and is a powerful tool for understanding cosmic mysteries such as galaxy formation, dark matter and dark energy.

"In one sense, you might think the initial results are a little boring, because they basically show that our standard cosmological model works," physics Professor Joel Primack said in a university release Thursday. "What's exciting is that we now have this highly accurate simulation that will provide the basis for lots of important new studies in the months and years to come."

The initial release of data from the Bolshoi simulation began in early September.

"We've released a lot of the data so that other astrophysicists can start to use it," he said. "So far it's less than one percent of the actual output, because the total output is so huge, but there will be additional releases in the future."

Primack and Anatoly Klypin, professor of astronomy at New Mexico State University, headed the team that produced the Bolshoi simulation, with Klypin writing the code for the simulation run on the Pleiades supercomputer at the NASA Ames Research Center in California.

www.upi.com

Copyright 2011 United Press International, Inc. (UPI). Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.