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Explore how supercomputers and simulations are revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos in this engaging 53-minute public lecture by cosmologist Andrew Pontzen from the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Discover how digital models help scientists uncover the origins of galaxies, investigate the role of black holes, and probe the mysteries of dark matter through computational cosmology. Trace the fascinating evolution of these computational tools from ancient star calculators to wartime weather forecasts, and learn how modern simulations model everything from collapsing dark matter to merging black holes. Examine the transformative impact these digital universes have on scientific research and our comprehension of cosmic phenomena. The lecture concludes with a thought-provoking question about whether we ourselves might exist within a cosmic simulation, challenging conventional perspectives on reality and our place in the universe.
