Latest news with #JamesBeattie
Gizmodo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
Most Detailed Simulation of Magnetic Turbulence in Space Is Surprisingly Beautiful
A new simulation of the galaxy's magnetic turbulence shakes up how we think about—and visualize—the astrophysical environments. The model was developed by James Beattie, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto's Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics and Princeton University, and collaborators from the U.S., Australia, and Europe. Described in a recent paper in Nature Astronomy, the model simulates space in high-definition—from volumes 30 light-years wide all the way down to tiny pockets scaled 5,000 times smaller. 'This is the first time we can study these phenomena at this level of precision and at these different scales,' Beattie said in a university release. The simulation maps the chaotic dance of particles in the interstellar medium (ISM) with unprecedented precision. One aspect of the model is its ability to capture shifts in the interstellar medium's density—from the near-emptiness of interstellar space to the dense clouds where stars are born. The magnetic field that threads through our galaxy is millions of times weaker than a refrigerator magnet, but it nevertheless is a guiding force for matter in the interstellar medium. Galactic magnetism helps shape how stars form, how cosmic rays travel, and even how the solar wind messes with Earth's magnetic field. 'We know that magnetic pressure opposes star formation by pushing outward against gravity as it tries to collapse a star-forming nebula,' Beattie said. 'Now we can quantify in detail what to expect from magnetic turbulence on those kinds of scales.' The simulation also scales down to help scientists probe phenomena much closer to home—namely the solar wind that streams from the Sun and bombards spacecraft and Earth's atmosphere, generating brilliant auroras. Early tests comparing the model's results to real-world data of the solar wind look promising, Beattie noted, which indicates that the model could be used to predict space weather. As more powerful radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array come online to measure magnetic field fluctuations in the universe, among other things, the model can be fed data that improves its reflection of how magnetism shapes the matter all around us. Deciphering the universe's secrets is partly done through observation, but just as important are solid models of the forces that govern the cosmos. Magnetic fields have a hidden—but crucial—role in our Milky Way, and the new model helps us get closer to an accurate portrait of the galaxy.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mesmerizing new simulation shows the space between stars like you've never seen it before
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you've ever poured milk into a cup of coffee and watched it swirl, you've seen turbulence in action. This phenomenon is responsible for everything from a bumpy airplane trip to ocean currents. Now, researchers have developed a way to visualize in unprecedented detail the turbulence within the interstellar medium — the clouds of gas and charged particles between stars — and how it interacts with magnetic fields. The model was described in a paper published May 13 in the journal Nature Astronomy. "This is the first time we can study these phenomena at this level of precision and at these different scales," James Beattie, an astrophysicist at the University of Toronto and Princeton University, and lead author of the new study, said in a statement. Such complex calculations take a lot of computing power. To develop their model, Beattie and his colleagues used the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer at Germany's Leibniz Supercomputing Center. The model is scalable, consisting of a series of virtual modules that can be stacked to form a cube of up to 10,000 units. At this size, it can help researchers simulate our galaxy's magnetic field. When scaled down, it can be used to model more localized turbulent processes in space, such as the solar wind, the stream of charged particles emanating from the sun. "This is the first time we can study these phenomena at this level of precision and at these different scales," Beattie said. Related: Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' contains surprisingly accurate physics — suggesting he understood the hidden 'dynamism of the sky' The charged particles in the interstellar medium are significantly more diffuse than even ultrahigh vacuum experiments on Earth. Still, their motion is enough to generate a magnetic field. This field is millions of times weaker than a fridge magnet, but in the vacuum of space, it plays a major role in shaping galaxies, and even in forming stars. Unlike previous simulations, the new model considered this dynamic, replicating how the field shifts and swirls interstellar ions from areas of higher or lower density based on their charge. This could help astrophysicists gain a deeper understanding of how galaxies like our own came to be. RELATED STORIES —A dozen black holes may be 'wandering' through our galaxy — and they're the rarest type in the universe —Astronomers spy puzzlingly 'perfect' cosmic orb with unknown size and location —Venus may be geologically 'alive' after all, reanalysis of 30-year-old NASA data reveals In the future, Beattie and his team hope to develop models with even higher resolution. They also plan to compare their simulations against real-world data, such as solar wind measurements. Sensitive new observatories, like Australia and South Africa's joint Square Kilometre Array, promise to make these models even more precise. The images promise to be just as stunning. "I love doing turbulence research," Beattie said. "It looks the same whether you're looking at the plasma between galaxies, within galaxies, within the solar system, in a cup of coffee or in Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night.'"
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Our galaxy's swirling gases and magnetic lines create cosmic artwork in new simulation
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In between all the stars in our galaxy, there is a vast, diffuse mix of gas and dust known as the interstellar medium — and scientists have developed a new computer model to explore the magnetism and turbulence of this medium, in turn generating stunning images that resemble abstract works of art. The images map out properties such as fractal density and magnetic field lines, resembling abstract works of art. The interstellar medium in our Milky Way galaxy is magnetic, can be compressed, and is turbulent. It affects important processes like star formation, cosmic-ray movement, and materials mixing in space. However, despite its importance, scientists still don't have a clear mathematical way to describe how it works. "Turbulence remains one of the greatest unsolved problems in classical mechanics," James Beattie, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Toronto and one of the study's contributing scientists, in a statement. "This [is] despite the fact that turbulence is ubiquitous: from swirling milk in our coffee to chaotic flows in the oceans, solar wind, interstellar medium, even the plasma between galaxies. The key distinction in astrophysical environments is the presence of magnetic fields, which fundamentally alter the nature of turbulent flows." The magnetic field in the interstellar medium is created by the movement of gas and plasma. As this material swirls and rotates, it generates electric currents, which then create and strengthen magnetic fields. The process is much like how Earth's magnetic field forms in its spinning, liquid iron core. And, although our galaxy's magnetic field is incredibly weak, it still plays a powerful role in shaping the universe. Beattie and his team's new model, which runs on the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer at the Leibniz Supercomputing Center in Germany, has a higher resolution than those of previous models. It can simulate vastly different spatial scales — from regions 30 light-years across down to structures about 5,000 times smaller. "This is the first time we can study these phenomena at this level of precision and at these different scales," Beattie said. This means astronomers might be able to gain a deeper understanding of processes, like star formation. Related Stories: — These 5000-year-old Egyptian coffins depict the Milky Way galaxy, astrophysicist says — Amateur astrophotographer catches a cosmic sunflower in bloom — Scientists calculate when the universe will end — it's sooner than expected "We know that magnetic pressure opposes star formation by pushing outward against gravity as it tries to collapse a star-forming nebula," said Beattie. "Now we can quantify in detail what to expect from magnetic turbulence on those kinds of scales." While higher resolution is certainly an advantage, however, it's meaningless if the model's accuracy doesn't hold up. To validate the model's reliability, the team must first test it against known observations. This step is crucial. Only by comparing the model's predictions with real-world data can scientists determine how well it captures the underlying physical processes it claims to represent. Without this validation, any insights or assumptions drawn from the model would be speculative at best. "We've already begun testing whether the model matches existing data from the solar wind and the Earth — and it's looking very good," said Beattie. "This is very exciting because it means we can [also] learn about space weather with our simulation. Space weather is very important because we're talking about the charged particles that bombard satellites and humans in space and have other terrestrial effects." It will be fascinating to see how this develops and how improved simulations can complement existing data. These enhanced models could even help solve long-standing mysteries that have remained due to the limitations of current observational technology, providing new insights where direct observations have yet to reach. The simulation is described in a study published May 13 in the journal Nature Astronomy.
