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Astronomers have embarked on the most ambitious project to date in search of answers to one of the most fundamental questions: How did the Universe, including our pale blue dot, come to exist? The FLAMINGO simulations (Full-hydro Large-scale structure simulations with All-sky Mapping for the Interpretation of Next Generation Observations) aim to shed light on the evolution of the entire Universe through computer simulations.

These simulations, conducted on a supercomputer at the DiRAC facility in the UK, encompass all known components of the Universe. They model normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy, as well as the stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects that make up the known universe. The largest simulation contains a staggering number of 300 billion particles, each with the mass of a small galaxy, in a space with edges measuring 10 billion light-years.

The initial results of the FLAMINGO simulations have been published in three papers, with one focusing on the large-scale structure of the Universe. This paper specifically addresses a concept known as the S8 tension, which arises from an analysis of the cosmic microwave background. The measurements of this microwave radiation, dating back to the early stages of the Universe, suggest that there should be more clumping of matter than what has been observed.

The researchers hope that the FLAMINGO simulations will help resolve this tension, as it challenges the existing cold dark matter model of the Universe. While the simulations are yet to provide definitive answers, they have indicated that both normal matter and neutrinos play crucial roles in making accurate predictions.

Running simulations that include normal matter poses greater computational challenges, as normal matter interacts not only gravitationally but also through pressure, such as radiation pressure and galactic winds. Despite these complexities, the team has conducted simulations that incorporate dark matter, normal matter, and neutrinos, varying the parameters to see their impact on the formation of the Universe’s structure.

Although the FLAMINGO data has not been publicly released due to its massive size, those interested can reach out to the corresponding author to inquire. These groundbreaking simulations hold the potential to expand our understanding of how the vast expanse of the Universe came to be.

Definitions:
– FLAMINGO simulations: Computer simulations conducted to model the entire known Universe, including normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy.
– Cosmic microwave background: Faint microwave radiation prevalent throughout the Universe, originating from the early stages of the Big Bang.
– S8 tension: A discrepancy between the observed clumping of matter in the Universe and the predicted clumping based on the cold dark matter model.

Sources:
– Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, three papers:
– (1) Methods: [source title 1]
– (2) Simulations: [source title 2]
– (3) Large-scale structure: [source title 3]

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