The Digital Press

The Euclid Consortium has released the largest-ever simulation of the universe, mapping 3.4 billion galaxies and tracking 4 trillion particles to aid analysis of real cosmic data from the Euclid space telescope.

Why it matters: This simulation helps process vast Euclid telescope data, advancing understanding of dark energy and cosmic structure.

The big picture: Euclid aims to scan one-third of the sky, testing and potentially challenging the current standard cosmological model.

Stunning stat: The Flagship 2 simulation models gravitational interactions among over 4 trillion particles across billions of galaxies.

Commenters say: Many appreciate the simulation's scale and utility, while others quip about the irony if our universe itself is a simulation.