Simulating the Universe: past, present, and future results

Volker Springel

December 08, 2011

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Abstract: I review some recent results of cosmological simulations of galaxy formation, with a focus on hydrodynamical simulations and ultra-large N-body simulations. In particular, I discuss how simulations using the new moving-mesh code AREPO differ from calculations based on the traditional SPH technique. Our results demonstrate that inaccuracies in hydrodynamic solvers, in particular with respect to the treatment of astrophysical turbulence, can propagate to non-negligible differences in predictions for galaxy formation. I will also discuss some results from the Millennium-XXL simulation, the by far largest cosmological N-body simulation carried out to date.