US Lab Models Galaxy Cluster Merger

astroengine writes "The scales are mind-boggling and the physics is cutting edge, so how do you go about simulating the collision of two galactic clusters? Using some of the most powerful computers in the world, researchers at Argonne National Laboratory, the Flash Center at the University of Chicago and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have done just that."

Comments

Merger

[Anonymous Coward]

In a merger that size, the job losses must be astronomical.

Re:Does this qualify as a big bang?

[trashpickinman]

Whoosh... Thats the sound of a joke going over your head.

Re:Does this qualify as a big bang?

[Black Parrot]

Whoosh... Thats the sound of a joke going over your head.

If a joke goes over your head in outer space, does it make a woosh?

Re:Science by graphical bedazzlement

[Sarten-X]

Graphics give understanding, though. A numeric analysis can show exactly what happens, but it doesn't convey a general idea of what's going on. Pictures are easier to understand, and show more information at once. There's a reason why the weatherman shows his forecasts on a giant map.

Speaking of giant maps, I visited the ANL recently, and saw a computer system being used for related research. If they're using the same visualization system (which looks REALLY similar to the video in TFA), then this graphical model could be shown on a giant screen, and the model could be rotated & zoomed at any point. It's science through pictures, not just pictures of science.