On Wednesday the 30th of March we were treated to a very interesting talk at the Club by Dr Julian Onions of Nottingham University on modelling the Universe inside computers. He explained how this process is used alongside giant telescopes and radio telescopes to greater understand how the universe developed and how it will develop in the future. Everyone was amazed by the complexity of his work and the size and power of the super computers that he works with.

He told us how one of the computers he works with is so large that it has three hundred thousand CPUs and draws 13 megawatts of power to run one of these Universe modelling programs, and that one of the limitations currently faced is that a computer to take this modelling work to the next level would require half the output of a normal sized power station to run. A very interesting talk and discussion with members afterwards. LSWC would like to thank him very much for his time in bringing this superbly delivered talk to us.