COMPUTATIONAL FACILITIES

The computational astrophysics group brings state-of-the-art numerical techniques to bear on otherwise intractable astronomical problems with complex geometries, multiple scales and physical interactions. Our computational work has led to new paradigms in large-scale structure through comparison of cosmological simulations to quasar absorption spectra and to new insight into galactic interactions and mechanisms governing their underlying dynamics.

A solid foundation in these computational techniques is essential for success in observational and theoretical astronomy alike. The Department of Astronomy provides opportunities to master numerical and computational techniques - such as basic numerical methods, Monte Carlo simulation, parallel and network computing, and multidimensional visualization - and explores the intersection of these techniques with experimental data acquisition, simulations of complex physical systems, the connection to physical intuition and interpretation, and analysis and presentation of results through graphical visualization.

The high-performance computing facility consists of several Beowulf-class super-computers (the largest with 256 processors) and an Avid production video editing facility for producing movies from simulations. This equipment can perform large floating point intensive parallel and serial calculations and the results can be studied using advanced, real-time graphical visualizations. In addition, a special computational classroom with many high performance workstations exists that will support efforts to integrate computational techniques into all aspects of graduate training.