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How computer models help us understand the universe - with Andrew Pontzen

The Royal Institution・52 minutes read

Computers have revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos, showcasing the collaboration between individuals from various fields in unravelling the universe. The evolution of the universe over 13.8 billion years is explored through advanced technology, simulations, and discussions on the possibility of living in a simulation, emphasizing the importance of extraordinary evidence and scientific truths.

Insights

  • Computers have been instrumental in advancing our knowledge of the universe, enabling discoveries about galaxies, dark matter, and the evolution of cosmic structures through simulations.
  • Collaboration across diverse fields, from meteorology to cosmology, has been crucial in harnessing the power of computers to deepen our understanding of the cosmos, emphasizing the collective effort needed to unlock the mysteries of the universe.

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Recent questions

  • How have computers impacted our understanding of the universe?

    Computers have revolutionized our comprehension of the cosmos by aiding in uncovering new insights about space, galaxies, and celestial bodies.

  • What role do telescopes play in exploring the universe?

    Telescopes are crucial tools for observing the universe, allowing us to adjust to darkness, revealing the vastness of the Milky Way, and discovering exoplanets and neighboring galaxies like Andromeda.

  • What are dark matter and dark energy in the universe?

    Dark matter and dark energy, comprising 95% of the universe, remain mysterious substances that astronomers are striving to comprehend through gravitational lensing and simulations.

  • How have advancements in computer technology impacted weather forecasting?

    Advancements in computer technology have significantly improved weather forecasting capabilities, enabling real-time predictions on smartphones and enhancing accuracy in predicting weather patterns.

  • What is the significance of simulations in understanding the universe?

    Simulations, based on initial conditions and physics principles, offer insights into the evolution of the universe, showcasing the role of dark matter and gravity in shaping cosmic structures over billions of years.

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Summary

00:00

Computers Revolutionize Understanding of Cosmos

  • The book "Universe in a Box" explores how computers have revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos over the past few decades.
  • Computers have played a central role in uncovering new insights about space, the universe, and how we perceive it.
  • The story emphasizes the collaboration between diverse individuals across various fields, all contributing to a collective understanding of the universe.
  • To comprehend the universe, one must first observe it through telescopes, allowing the eyes to adjust to the darkness and revealing the vastness of the Milky Way.
  • Telescopes have led to the discovery of exoplanets around stars, hinting at the potential for countless planetary systems beyond our own.
  • The Andromeda galaxy, a neighboring galaxy to the Milky Way, showcases the immense scale of galaxies, each potentially hosting their own planets.
  • The visible universe contains hundreds of billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars, as depicted in images captured by space telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope.
  • Dark matter and dark energy, comprising 95% of the universe, remain mysterious substances that astronomers are striving to comprehend.
  • Gravitational lensing, observed through telescopes, provides evidence of the presence of dark matter, influencing the distortion of light from distant galaxies.
  • Simulations, aided by advanced technology, offer insights into the evolution of the universe, highlighting the role of gravity and dark matter in shaping cosmic structures over billions of years.

16:37

Evolution of Weather Prediction Technology

  • The universe's evolution from the left picture to the right picture took 13.8 billion years.
  • The equipment needed for such calculations has evolved from ancient mechanical computers like the Antikythera mechanism to modern flexible computers.
  • Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace envisioned a customizable computing machine in the 19th century, allowing for varied instructions without physical changes.
  • Ada Lovelace's insights highlighted the potential of computers as prediction engines based on physics laws.
  • Computers were first used practically in weather prediction, showcasing the importance of initial conditions in making accurate forecasts.
  • Physics, encoded in differential equations, focuses on predicting changes over time but struggles with determining initial conditions.
  • The telegraph system enabled the gathering of initial weather conditions, crucial for accurate weather forecasts.
  • The Koshi-Kovalev theorem affirmed the possibility of making predictions based on good equations and initial conditions.
  • Leis Fry Richardson attempted manual weather predictions during World War I, showcasing the complexity and limitations of such calculations.
  • The ENIAC machine, developed during World War II, marked a significant advancement in weather forecasting by applying computational principles to predict weather accurately.

32:54

Evolution of Weather and Galaxy Simulations

  • Meteorologist Jul Chy and team began producing forecasts electronically, initially struggling to keep pace with weather changes.
  • Advancements in computer technology have accelerated forecast capabilities, enabling real-time predictions on smartphones.
  • Military interest in weather forecasting stemmed from the belief that weather manipulation could be a future warfare tactic.
  • Von Neumann initiated weather prediction research to explore the impact of military interventions on weather.
  • Attempts to manipulate weather proved challenging due to the chaotic nature of weather systems.
  • Weather forecasting calculations inadvertently led to the prediction of climate change.
  • Eric Holberg simulated galaxy interactions using light bulbs to represent stars, showcasing gravitational effects.
  • Beatrice Tinsley's computer simulations revolutionized galaxy brightness understanding, debunking the Big Crunch theory.
  • Computer simulations by Sakuro Manabe highlighted the importance of cloud formation in climate models.
  • Cosmological simulations rely on initial conditions, physics principles, and subgrid approximations to predict the universe's evolution.

48:54

"Dark Matter Simulation Reveals Universe's Formation"

  • The movie made 10 years ago still holds up well, depicting the expansion of the early Universe and the formation of a distinctive 3D web-like structure due to dark matter.
  • The simulation showcases the formation of galaxies, held together by dark matter's gravitational force, contributing to the structured Universe observed.
  • The simulation progresses through time, illustrating the merging of galaxies under the influence of dark matter, leading to the formation of various galaxies over almost 14 billion years.
  • The simulation's accuracy is highlighted, showing a close resemblance to real observations, aiding in understanding dark matter and refining the simulation's accuracy.
  • The possibility of the universe being a simulation is discussed, with notable figures like Elon Musk and Richard Dawkins considering the idea seriously, but the speaker expresses skepticism due to the immense computational requirements.
  • The speaker emphasizes the need for extraordinary evidence to support claims of living in a simulation, cautioning against undermining scientific truths and reality.
  • The importance of understanding simulations is stressed, with a recommendation for further exploration through a detailed book on the subject.
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