For as long as humans have existed, they have pondered questions about how the universe was born.
Researchers at St. Mary's University in Halifax are using high-performance computing equipment and innovative software in their quest to answer those questions. How does the technology play a role? To unravel the deepest mysteries, researchers have to do mathematically complex calculations to solve equation models of a large scope and size—something they could previously only do by travelling to another facility. Now, St. Mary's has the equipment it needs to complete these calculations, and to prepare its students for broad applications in scientific computing.
What are the steps involved in solving the riddles of the universe? David Clarke is modelling the behaviour of astrophysical objects to determine how stars form. He's also examining the effects of black holes at the core of galaxies. His colleague, David Guenther, studies stellar evolution to unravel the age of the universe. Combining their knowledge and skill with leading-edge computing tools will drive their research forward and shore up Canada's capacity in astronomy and physics, as well as mathematics and computing.
