{"id":29498,"date":"2025-09-28T09:06:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T09:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/?p=29498"},"modified":"2025-11-03T10:28:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T10:28:10","slug":"the-universes-largest-simulation-released-flagship-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/the-universes-largest-simulation-released-flagship-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Universe’s Largest Simulation Released: Flagship 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope<\/strong> and the Flagship 2 simulation<\/strong> unveil the largest virtual universe ever, encompassing 3.4 billion galaxies<\/strong>. New clues about dark energy<\/strong> and standard cosmology<\/strong> are on the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no definitive answer to the question, “Are we living in a simulation?” However, it is certain that humanity has created its own simulations. Furthermore, these simulations are now being used to explore the deepest secrets of the universe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Euclid Consortium<\/strong>, which manages the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope<\/strong>, has released the most comprehensive simulation of the universe ever prepared. This virtual universe map, called Flagship 2<\/strong>, covers 3.4 billion galaxies<\/strong> and tracks the gravitational interactions of over 4 trillion particles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This massive undertaking was prepared using an algorithm developed by astrophysicist Joachim Stadel<\/strong> from the University of Zurich. In 2019, Stadel used one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, Piz Daint, to create this incredibly detailed virtual universe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Preparing for the Euclid Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Julian Adamek<\/strong>, an astrophysicist involved in the project, states that these simulations are vital for analyzing the data collected by Euclid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Euclid telescope<\/strong>, operational since 2023, observes billions of galaxies<\/strong> and investigates the distribution of dark matter<\/strong> and dark energy<\/strong> in the universe<\/strong>. The spacecraft is set to survey approximately one-third of the sky. Because such a vast amount of data is being produced, simulations like Flagship 2<\/strong> contribute to a faster and more efficient process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Limits of the Standard Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Researchers expect Euclid<\/strong>‘s observations to largely align with the predictions in Flagship 2<\/strong>. However, they are also prepared for surprises in the universe<\/strong>. This is because Flagship 2<\/strong> is built upon the currently accepted standard cosmological model<\/strong>. In Stadel’s words, “We are seeing signs that cracks are forming in the Standard Model<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most exciting topic for the team is dark energy<\/strong>, which is accelerating the expansion of the universe<\/strong>. According to the current model<\/strong>, this energy is accepted as a constant value. However, Euclid<\/strong> will shed light on the universe<\/strong> up to 10 billion years ago, testing whether this energy is truly constant. Adamek says, “We will be able to see how the universe<\/strong> expanded during that period and measure if this constant has changed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Euclid<\/strong>‘s initial observation results were shared with the public in March 2025. New datasets are expected to be announced in the spring of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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