At Argonne National Laboratory, scientists have leveraged the Frontier supercomputer to create an unprecedented simulation of the universe, encompassing a span of 10 billion light years and incorporating complex physics models.

This monumental achievement allows for new insights into galaxy formation and cosmic evolution, showcasing the profound capabilities of exascale computing.

Breakthrough in Universe Simulation

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by creating the largest astrophysical simulation of the Universe to date. This simulation was made possible by the Frontier supercomputer, which was recently the most powerful in the world. Its scale mirrors the vast surveys conducted by advanced telescopes and observatories, offering unprecedented insights into the cosmos.

Frontier, located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, is currently the second-fastest supercomputer globally, surpassed only by El Capitan, which pulled ahead in November 2024. Notably, Frontier is the world’s first exascale supercomputer, a distinction it now shares with El Capitan, both of which represent the cutting edge of computational power.

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