Are We Living in a Simulation? Exploring the Universe with Euclid

The question “Are we living in a simulation?” sparks debate among scientists and philosophers. While no one has proven it yet, humans are creating astonishing simulations. The Euclid Consortium, which manages the European Euclid Space Telescope, has developed the most comprehensive simulation of the universe to date.

Amazing Universe Simulation

The Euclid Consortium announced the world’s largest simulation, mapping an astounding 3.4 billion galaxies and tracking the gravitational interactions of over 4 trillion particles. This simulation, known as Flagship 2, benefited from an algorithm designed by astrophysicist Joachim Stadel from the University of Zurich.

In 2019, Stadel used the supercomputer Piz Daint, then the third most powerful computer in the world, to perform the necessary calculations, resulting in a detailed virtual model of the universe.

The Importance of Simulations in Studying the Universe

This simulation is crucial for preparing to analyze data from the Euclid Telescope. Since 2023, the telescope has been surveying billions of galaxies to study the distribution of dark energy and dark matter in the universe.

Euclid’s observations are expected to closely match the simulation’s predictions, although surprises may await the scientific team. The Flagship 2 simulation operates according to the standard cosmological model, but Euclid is designed to challenge our current understanding.

Exploring Dark Energy

The team is eager to study the mystery of dark energy, the driving force behind the universe’s expansion. In the standard cosmological model, dark energy is considered constant. However, Euclid’s observations, which will cover up to 10 billion years into the past, may reveal different properties.

Through these observations, we can learn how the universe expanded over time and measure whether this constant has truly remained unchanged.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Flagship 2 simulation represents a significant step in our understanding of the universe. By mapping billions of galaxies and analyzing gravitational interactions, this simulation provides a deep insight into the universe’s formation and workings. As we prepare for new discoveries from the Euclid Telescope, we remain excited about what these studies may reveal about dark energy and other cosmic mysteries.