3D Data Visualization Module 1.3: Computational Science

Summary

This script explores the evolution of scientific research, highlighting the shift from experimental and theoretical science to computational science as a third pillar. It discusses the use of supercomputers to simulate phenomena unobservable through traditional means, such as black holes, earthquakes, and virus dynamics. The script also touches on the application of high-performance computing in personalized medicine, political science, and plant breeding, emphasizing the growing importance of computational data sets and visualization in advancing scientific understanding.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Scientists systematically gather evidence to test hypotheses and gain understanding of natural phenomena.
• 👀 Some evidence is easily observable, such as the reaction between vinegar and baking soda, while other evidence requires technological assistance like microscopes and telescopes.
• 🌌 There are challenges in observing phenomena that are too far, too small, blocked from view, or move at extreme speeds or slowness.
• 🧪 Experimental science involves intentionally causing or observing reactions under various conditions, often on a large scale with significant resources.
• 📚 Theoretical science, once limited by the inability to directly measure certain phenomena, has been revolutionized by the advent of powerful computers.
• 💻 Computational science, or the use of computer simulations, has become the third pillar of modern science alongside experimental and theoretical science.
• 🌌 Astrophysics was one of the first fields to utilize supercomputers to solve complex equations and simulate phenomena like black holes.
• 🌍 Geophysics has also benefited from high-performance computing (HPC), using real measurements to simulate events like earthquakes and weather patterns.
• 🦠 Biophysics researchers use computational tools to study the mechanics of viruses at the atomic level, which is beyond the capabilities of optical microscopes.
• 💊 High-performance computing is now being used to develop personalized medicine, analyze political districting for fairness, and simulate future climate scenarios for agriculture.
• 🚀 The computational datasets available today offer deep insights into scientific questions that were previously unanswerable by physical means.
• 📉 Visualization is a key method for analyzing and educating with the vast amounts of data produced by HPC, as illustrated by the history and work of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
• 🌌 The detection of gravitational waves by LIGO in 2015 validated decades of computational research and marked a significant milestone in the field of computational astrophysics.

Q & A

What is the primary role of a scientist according to the script?

A scientist's primary role is to systematically gather evidence to test a hypothesis and gain understanding of various phenomena.

How do scientists gather evidence for phenomena that are observable directly?

Scientists can gather evidence for directly observable phenomena by watching things change in front of their eyes, such as the reaction when vinegar is added to baking soda.

What technological inventions have been made to assist scientists in observing phenomena that are not easily visible?

Microscopes and telescopes are technological inventions that help scientists observe very small and very large phenomena, respectively.

What are some examples of phenomena that are difficult to observe directly?

Examples of difficult-to-observe phenomena include things that are too far away (like galaxies), too small (like atoms), blocked from view (like the center of the sun), move too fast (like light), or move too slow (like the cosmos).

What is experimental science and how is it conducted?

Experimental science is a method where scientists intentionally cause a reaction or identify a naturally occurring reaction and repeatedly observe it under different conditions, often requiring large-scale equipment and numerous researchers.

What is theoretical science and how does it differ from experimental science?

Theoretical science involves using the mind as a laboratory to explore scientific questions that cannot be directly measured through experimentation. It differs from experimental science by relying on mathematical models and thought experiments rather than physical observations or experiments.

How has the rise of powerful computers changed scientific research?

The rise of powerful computers has enabled the creation of virtual laboratories with computer code that can simulate scientific events impossible to observe in the real world, thus adding computational science as a third pillar alongside experimental and theoretical science.

What was one of the first non-military applications for supercomputers mentioned in the script?

One of the first non-military applications for supercomputers was solving Einstein's equations of general relativity, which are mathematically complex but provide insights into how black holes work.

How did the geophysics community contribute to the field of high-performance computing (HPC)?

The geophysics community contributed to HPC by studying earthquakes, the climate, and performing predictive simulations of extreme weather events, feeding supercomputer simulations with real measurements from earth-based sensors.

What is an example of how supercomputers are used in biophysics research?

In biophysics research, supercomputers are used as computational microscopes to observe how viruses function on a mechanical level at the resolution of individual atoms, which would be too small and fast to observe through an optical microscope.

How is high-performance computing (HPC) being utilized in modern scientific research?

HPC is being used to prescribe genetically customized medicine, calculate voting district maps for political science, and breed virtual crops under future climate scenarios in plant science, among other applications.

What is the significance of the computational simulation of a volcano on Venus mentioned in the script?

The significance of the computational simulation of a volcano on Venus is that it had to be an illustration guided by a scientist due to the lack of an appropriate computer simulation of a volcanic eruption, highlighting the limitations and advancements in computational science.

What was the outcome of the early experiment conducted by NCSA astrophysicists on black holes?

The early experiment conducted by NCSA astrophysicists on black holes led to the discovery that they would cause an aberration in SpaceTime called a gravitational wave, which was later detected by the LIGO instrument in 2015, validating the computational scientists' work.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 The Evolution of Scientific Research

This paragraph delves into the nature of scientific inquiry, emphasizing the role of evidence in testing hypotheses. It contrasts the ease of gathering evidence through direct observation with the necessity of technological aids like microscopes and telescopes for studying phenomena beyond the naked eye. The paragraph then explores the challenges of observing phenomena that are either too distant, small, obscured, or fast-paced, leading to the discussion of theoretical science as a domain for investigating such elusive subjects. It highlights the advent of computational science as a transformative 'third pillar' of modern science, complementing experimental and theoretical approaches. The narrative progresses through the historical development of high-performance computing (HPC), illustrating its applications in astrophysics, geophysics, and biophysics, and how it enables the study of phenomena that are otherwise intractable. The paragraph concludes by showcasing current and future applications of HPC in diverse scientific fields, emphasizing its growing importance in advancing scientific knowledge.

05:02

🌐 The Power of Computational Simulations

Paragraph 2 focuses on the limitations of modern computers in simulating complex scientific phenomena and the role of computational data sets in providing insights into questions unanswerable by traditional experimentation or observation. It discusses how visualization has become a critical tool for analyzing and educating with computational data. The paragraph recounts the story of Larry Smarr, an American computational astrophysicist, who played a pivotal role in establishing the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). It highlights a significant early experiment at NCSA where astrophysicists simulated black hole collisions and predicted the existence of gravitational waves. The narrative culminates in the real-world detection of gravitational waves by LIGO in 2015, validating the computational predictions made decades earlier. This paragraph underscores the significance of computational simulations in advancing our understanding of the universe and the pivotal role of high-performance computing in scientific discovery.

Keywords

💡Scientist

A scientist is an individual who engages in systematic observation and experimentation to acquire knowledge or investigate the properties and phenomena of the natural world. In the video, the role of a scientist is to gather evidence and test hypotheses, which is central to understanding the scientific method and the pursuit of knowledge.

💡Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, made as a starting point for further investigation. The script mentions that scientists gather evidence to test a hypothesis, emphasizing the importance of forming educated guesses that can be empirically verified or falsified.

💡Microscopes

Microscopes are instruments used to magnify small objects or details that are not visible to the naked eye. The script discusses how microscopes help scientists observe very tiny things, such as atoms, which are essential in fields like biology and chemistry.

💡Telescopes

Telescopes are optical instruments designed to observe distant objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation. The video script mentions telescopes as tools that allow scientists to observe very large things, such as galaxies, which are crucial for astronomical studies.

💡Theoretical Science

Theoretical science is a branch of science that employs mathematical models and abstractions to explain natural phenomena. The script highlights theoretical science as an area where scientists like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking have contributed significantly, often relying on the power of thought and computation rather than direct observation.

💡Experimental Science

Experimental science is a method of investigation that involves conducting experiments to test ideas and gather data. The video script describes experimental science as a process where reactions are intentionally caused or observed under various conditions, often requiring large-scale equipment and collaborative efforts.

💡High-Performance Computing (HPC)

High-Performance Computing (HPC) refers to the use of supercomputers and parallel processing techniques to solve complex problems. The script explains how HPC has become a third pillar of modern science, allowing for the simulation of events that are impossible to observe in the real world.

💡General Relativity

General relativity is a theory of gravitation proposed by Albert Einstein, which describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. The video script mentions the use of supercomputers to solve Einstein's equations of general relativity, providing insights into phenomena like black holes.

💡Gravitational Waves

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe, such as the collision of black holes. The script recounts the computational prediction and eventual observational confirmation of gravitational waves, illustrating the interplay between theoretical and experimental science.

💡Visualization

Visualization in the context of the video refers to the graphical representation of data to facilitate understanding and analysis. The script highlights the importance of visualization in analyzing and educating with computational data sets, making complex scientific phenomena more accessible.

💡National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)

The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) is an institution that conducts research and provides resources in high-performance computing. The script shares the history of NCSA's establishment and its role in creating visualizations and conducting computational research, such as simulating the effects of black hole collisions.

Highlights

Scientists systematically gather evidence to test hypotheses for understanding.

Evidence gathering can be direct observation or require technology like microscopes and telescopes.

Observing phenomena that are not directly visible presents challenges such as distant galaxies or subatomic particles.

Experimental science involves intentionally causing or observing reactions under various conditions.

Large-scale experimental science often requires expensive equipment and extensive collaboration.

Theoretical science is conducted by scientists like Einstein and Hawking, relying on mental models and thought experiments.

Computational science has emerged as a third pillar of modern science, alongside experimental and theoretical science.

Supercomputers have been used to solve complex equations, such as Einstein's general relativity.

Astrophysics and geophysics have significantly contributed to the growth of high-performance computing (HPC).

HPC simulations can predict natural phenomena like hurricanes based on real measurements.

Biophysics researchers use computational tools to study virus dynamics at an atomic level.

HPC is being used for personalized medicine, political analysis, and virtual crop breeding under future climate scenarios.

Computational data sets provide insights into scientific questions unattainable by physical means.

Visualization is a key method for analyzing and educating with computational data.

Larry Smarr's initiative led to the creation of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

Early NCSA research included analyzing the effects of black hole collisions and predicting gravitational waves.

The detection of gravitational waves by LIGO in 2015 validated decades of computational science work.

Transcripts

a scientist is someone who

systematically gathers evidence to test

a hypothesis to gain

understanding sometimes scientists can

easily gather evidence simply by

watching things change in front of their

eyes if I wanted evidence about what

happens when you add vinegar to baking

soda I can just put the two together and

watch the way they

change but some evidence is hard to

gather without technology

we have invented microscopes to help us

watch how very tiny things interact and

we've invented telescopes so that we can

watch how very large things interact but

what if we're trying to observe

something we can't see some things are

too far away like galaxies some things

are too small like atoms some things are

blocked from view like the center of the

sun some things move too fast like light

and some things move too slow like the

cosmos

how can we gather evidence to study all

of these

things typically when we think of

science we think of experimental science

this is the type of science where we

intentionally cause a reaction or

identify a reaction that's happening

naturally and repeatedly observe it

under different conditions these days

some of the most famous experimental

science is conducted on massive scales

requiring expensive equipment and

thousands of researchers we commonly

hear about the Large Hadron Collider and

the Hubble Space Telescope experimental

science is only one method to do

scientific research though until

recently all of the scientific questions

we had that we couldn't directly measure

through experimentation were relegated

to an area of science called theoretical

science many of the most famous

scientists like Albert Einstein and

Steven Hawking are the theoretical

scientists for a theoretical scientist

their laboratory is their mind and it

can be difficult for other people to see

their experiments but in the past

several decades thanks to the rise of

powerful computers scientific research

has changed dramatically we are now able

to create virtual Laboratories with

computer code that can simulate

scientific events that are impossible to

observe in the real world without having

the information trapped in the mind of a

great philosopher this is why many

people refer to comput scientific

research as the third pillar of modern

science alongside the other two pillars

of experimental and theoretical science

one of the first non-military

applications for supercomputers was

solving Einstein's equations of general

relativity these equations are

mathematically laborious to solve but

help provide insight into how black

holes work from there the astrophysics

Community contributed quite a lot to the

growth of the field of high performance

Computing or HPC showing scient ists

many phenomena that they couldn't

observe through

telescopes soon the geophysics community

joined the HPC field studying

earthquakes the climate and doing

predictive simulation of extreme weather

events while astrophysics research

largely relied on Purely mathematical

data geophysics research was able to

feed supercomputer simulations with real

measurements from seismometers

thermometers barometers and other

earth-based

sensors this simulation of Hurricane

Katrina was based on measured data of

the conditions in the Atlantic Ocean it

was churning on a supercomputer at the

national Center for atmospheric research

at the same time the hurricane was

actually happening this simulation was

actually racing the real storm to

anticipate the most likely path and

power of the hurricane to prepare an

emergency response as supercomputers got

more powerful they began to be useful to

biophysics researchers as well one of

the ways these researchers use these

computational microscopes is to observe

how viruses like h HIV HPV polio and

influenza function on a mechanical level

at the resolution of individual atoms

these Dynamics would be impossibly small

and fast to observe through an optical

microscope today high performance

Computing is experiencing another

Renaissance supercomputers are being

used to prescribe genetically customized

medicine to individual patients

political scientists can calculate a set

of all possible voting district maps to

help identif if y unfair partisan Jerry

mandering and plant scientists are

breeding virtual crops under conditions

of elevated carbon dioxide and limited

water future climate scenarios that

don't currently exist on this planet but

which could dramatically affect

Humanity's ability to feed itself these

new Sciences have only recently been

able to leverage HPC resources as

computers grow more powerful and the HPC

industry learns from experience for

instance simulating plant growth

requires an understanding of climate

plant Anatomy genetics and the physics

of atoms all phenomena that happen at

vastly different scales of space and

time and all which require expertise

from different kinds of

scientists often when trying to tell a

science story we will encounter science

that is constrained by even the most

modern

computers this volcano on the surface of

Venus had to be an illustration Guided

by the advice of a scientist because no

computer simulation of an appropriate

volcanic eruption existed and this blast

of solar plasma colliding with the

Earth's magnetic field was so enormous

that the scientists couldn't afford to

keep all of the data in three dimensions

which is why we transition to a 2d

extraction from the data

instead the computational data sets that

are available today provide unparalleled

insight into a wide variety of

scientific questions that could never be

addressed by physical experimentation or

observation and as the field of high

performance Computing continues to

advance we will see more computational

dat data sets in every corner of the

public and private sectors and one of

the best ways to analyze and educate

with this data is through

visualization fun fact in the 1980s an

American computational astrophysicist

named Larry smar was tired of traveling

to Germany to do all of his

computational research so he convinced

the United States government to fund

four new super computer centers

including one at his home institution in

Illinois that's the origin of the

national Center for supercomputing

applications or NCSA where we create our

visualizations one experiment the early

NCSA astrophysicists ran was to analyze

the effect of what would happen when

black holes Collide they discovered that

they would cause an aberration in

SpaceTime called a gravitational wave

that would travel immense distance and

they theorized that Earth was regularly

being shaken by gravitational waves in

2015 an instrument called ligo that was

built to detect gravitational waves was

turned on and first observed these waves

in the real world thereby validating the

work of those computational scientists

from 30 years

earlier