Researchers created a stunning simulation of the universe in which galaxies are created. The EAGLE-simulation (Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments) took months to run on Durham University's "Cosmology Machine" and "Curie" in Paris, which are some of the largest computers used for this type of research. The results of this study could help researchers study the development of galaxies from as far back as 14 billion years ago.
The galaxies formed in past simulations have often been too large, small or spherical, but these new results that factored in strong galactic winds were closer to what is observed in the natural universe. These winds are spawned by black holes and stars and blow away the gas supply that is essential in the creation of new stars. This is why EAGLE's galaxies appear to be lighter and younger, since fewer stars form at a later period in time.
"The universe generated by the computer is just like the real thing. There are galaxies everywhere, with all the shapes, sizes and [colors] I've seen with the world's largest telescopes. It is incredible. In the EAGLE universe I can even press a button to make time run backwards," said coauthor Richard Bower from Durham University, which is in England.
The new simulation will allow researchers to study the formation of individual galaxies in greater detail than ever before.
"This is the start of a new era for us," said coauthor Rob Crain from Liverpool John Moores University. "We can now manipulate the conditions of the Universe and study the evolution of galaxies throughout the past 14 billion years."
The findings were published in a recent edition of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
