The Universe's Largest Simulation Released: Flagship 2

The European Area Company’s Euclid telescope and the Flagship 2 simulation unveil the biggest digital universe ever, encompassing 3.4 billion galaxies. New clues about darkish vitality and normal cosmology are on the best way.

There isn’t any definitive reply to the query, “Are we residing in a simulation?” Nevertheless, it’s sure that humanity has created its personal simulations. Moreover, these simulations are actually getting used to discover the deepest secrets and techniques of the universe.

The Euclid Consortium, which manages the European Area Company’s Euclid telescope, has launched probably the most complete simulation of the universe ever ready. This digital universe map, referred to as Flagship 2, covers 3.4 billion galaxies and tracks the gravitational interactions of over 4 trillion particles.

This large endeavor was ready utilizing an algorithm developed by astrophysicist Joachim Stadel from the College of Zurich. In 2019, Stadel used one of many world’s strongest supercomputers, Piz Daint, to create this extremely detailed digital universe.

Making ready for the Euclid Mission

Julian Adamek, an astrophysicist concerned within the venture, states that these simulations are important for analyzing the info collected by Euclid.

The Euclid telescope, operational since 2023, observes billions of galaxies and investigates the distribution of darkish matter and darkish vitality within the universe. The spacecraft is ready to survey roughly one-third of the sky. As a result of such an enormous quantity of information is being produced, simulations like Flagship 2 contribute to a sooner and extra environment friendly course of.

The Limits of the Commonplace Mannequin

Researchers anticipate Euclid‘s observations to largely align with the predictions in Flagship 2. Nevertheless, they’re additionally ready for surprises within the universe. It is because Flagship 2 is constructed upon the presently accepted normal cosmological mannequin. In Stadel’s phrases, “We’re seeing indicators that cracks are forming within the Commonplace Mannequin.”

Essentially the most thrilling subject for the staff is darkish vitality, which is accelerating the enlargement of the universe. In keeping with the present mannequin, this vitality is accepted as a continuing worth. Nevertheless, Euclid will make clear the universe as much as 10 billion years in the past, testing whether or not this vitality is really fixed. Adamek says, “We will see how the universe expanded throughout that interval and measure if this fixed has modified.”

Euclid‘s preliminary remark outcomes had been shared with the general public in March 2025. New datasets are anticipated to be introduced within the spring of 2026.