Latest news with #SuperMUC-NG
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.
Sustainability Times
19-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
World's Most Powerful Supercomputer Just Mapped Massive Magnetic Turbulence in Galaxy, Uncovering a Chaotic New Space Phenomenon
IN A NUTSHELL 🌌 Magnetized turbulence simulation reveals new insights into cosmic energy movement and star formation. simulation reveals new insights into cosmic energy movement and star formation. 💻 Team utilizes the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer to conduct the largest-ever simulation of its kind. to conduct the largest-ever simulation of its kind. 🌟 Discoveries highlight the significant role of magnetic fields in reducing small-scale turbulence and amplifying wave phenomena. in reducing small-scale turbulence and amplifying wave phenomena. 🚀 Research has critical implications for space exploration and improving space weather predictions. Turbulence is a phenomenon that pervades our daily lives, from the swirling of coffee to the chaotic currents of ocean waves. However, this complex state is not only confined to Earth. It extends across the vastness of space, influencing galaxies and even the universe itself. Despite its ubiquity, turbulence remains one of the most challenging puzzles in physics, particularly how energy moves across different scales. In an extraordinary breakthrough, an international team led by Princeton University and the University of Toronto has successfully simulated the largest scale of magnetized turbulence ever observed, offering unprecedented insights into this mysterious cosmic dance. The Scale of Galactic Turbulence Focusing on the turbulence within the interstellar medium, researchers have delved into the chaotic movements that fill the space between stars in our galaxy. These simulations revealed striking differences from traditional astrophysical models, especially concerning the role of magnetic fields. The findings highlighted that magnetic fields significantly influence how energy moves and dissipates through cosmic spaces. The simulations demonstrated that these fields reduce small-scale turbulent motions while amplifying specific wave-like phenomena known as Alfvén waves. This new understanding could have profound implications for comprehending the galaxy's turbulent structure, the dynamics of energetic particles, and the star formation process in turbulent environments. According to NASA, large-scale turbulence is crucial for the formation of stars within the Milky Way's vast molecular clouds. As James Beattie from Princeton University notes, the ongoing challenge lies in discovering universal features of turbulence across the universe, pushing the boundaries of next-generation simulations to further test these ideas. Lead Transformed into Gold: CERN Scientists Stun World with Historic Alchemy Breakthrough After Decades of Failed Experiments The Role of Supercomputers Accurately predicting how energy transfers from large to small scales in any medium, be it oceans, atmospheres, or space, remains a formidable task. The presence of magnetic fields in space complicates this modeling further, necessitating immense computing power. This is where the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Germany comes into play. This supercomputer has enabled researchers to condense what would be millennia of calculations into a feasible timeframe. The resulting model produced a vast virtual cube, with each side measuring 10,080 units, representing the largest simulation of magnetized turbulence to date. This massive computational feat allows researchers to explore phenomena across a broader range of scales than ever before. The implications of this research extend beyond theoretical physics. A deeper understanding of turbulence could significantly impact space travel, providing crucial insights into the creation of high-energy particles and potentially enhancing safety measures for future missions. 'Time Is Not What You Think': New Quantum Discovery Reveals Shocking Ways Reality Breaks Down at the Smallest Scale Practical Implications for Space Exploration In recent years, the commercial space flight industry has taken significant strides, making space weather prediction increasingly vital for the safety of both equipment and human lives. Understanding the plasma environment around satellites and space missions is crucial, as Amitava Bhattacharjee, a co-author of the study, emphasizes. The research sheds light on the acceleration of highly energetic particles, which can damage instruments and pose serious risks to astronauts. The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, highlights the potential for improving space weather forecasts, thereby safeguarding the technology and personnel that venture beyond Earth's atmosphere. As we advance into a new era of space exploration, these insights could prove invaluable for ensuring the continued safety and success of missions beyond our planet. 'Concrete That Heals Itself': Scientists Create Lichen-Inspired Material That Uses Microbes to Seal Cracks Automatically Future Prospects in Turbulence Research As our understanding of turbulence evolves, the possibilities for future research seem limitless. The integration of advanced computational models and powerful supercomputers is paving the way for new discoveries in this complex field. The dream of identifying universal characteristics of turbulence across different cosmic environments drives researchers to continue expanding the limits of current simulations. With every breakthrough, the scientific community moves closer to unraveling the intricate dance of energy in the universe. As we stand on the brink of new discoveries, the question remains: How will our growing understanding of turbulence shape the future of space exploration and our comprehension of the universe? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (22)
