Studying Virtual Universes with Supercomputer Simulations
Dr. Greg Snyder, Space Telescope Science Institute

In extragalactic astronomy, observational studies span a huge range in size scales, cosmic times, wavelengths of light, and galaxy appearance. While we cannot directly watch the development of a galaxy over billions of years, this current era of dramatically increasing computer resources have made possible comprehensive predictions for galaxy evolution. Recent advances toward the goal of simulating realistic ³virtual universes² include the Illustris Project, one of several efforts beginning to reproduce key features of galaxy populations. These successes are only the first steps toward a loftier goal: the prediction of new astrophysics that can be tested by ever-improving telescope technology. Future improvements in computational galaxy formation may lead us there in the coming decades.

Host: Dr. Frank Summers

Recorded live on October 7, 2014 at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD, USA

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