How an astrophysicist uses Codex to help simulate black holes

Astrophysicists study black holes using computer simulations and observations, yet current algorithms and computing power restrict the realism of these simulations. Chi-kwan Chan, a researcher at the University of Arizona, is addressing this challenge with the help of Codex. His work contributes to the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration, known for capturing the first image of a black hole in 2019, and now working towards producing the first video of a supermassive black hole.

One of the main obstacles for Chan and his team is accurately modeling plasma—superheated matter composed of electrons and ions—around black holes. While denser plasma can be simulated as a fluid, regions near supermassive black holes are so hot and diffuse that particles rarely collide. Instead, they spiral around magnetic field lines. Current simulations struggle to track these trillions of particles, consuming vast computational resources and limiting how realistically black hole plasma can be simulated.

Chan hypothesized that novel mathematical techniques could circumvent these limitations. Instead of manually exploring every mathematical possibility, which would be time-consuming, he employed Codex to derive and test candidate algorithms against established solutions. Although not all suggested approaches were correct, Codex significantly accelerated the process of identifying viable algorithms.

Chan's group leverages Codex to propose and implement numerical schemes that can be rigorously inspected and tested. He views AI as a valuable tool for scientific exploration, speeding up hypothesis testing and accelerating discovery, all while maintaining a commitment to verification and reproducibility. This approach is rooted in the principle that scientific ideas are accepted only after rigorous, repeated testing, regardless of their source.

The successful development of these new algorithms, aided by Codex, could allow scientists to simulate trillions of particles around black holes. This advancement would enable researchers to delve into physical phenomena that have been inaccessible for decades, pushing the boundaries of astrophysics.