Creating black hole simulations with Codex

TL;DR: Using OpenAI Codex to generate new numerical algorithms, black hole simulations have been sped up by up to a thousand times, making previously impossible plasma simulations possible and paving the way for the first black hole video. ## Event Horizon Telescope and Black Hole Imaging The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) project has been running for many years. In 2017, we captured the first static image of a black hole. And this year is especially exciting — we are creating the first video of a black hole. The only reason we can see a black hole is because incredibly hot plasma is falling into it. To correctly simulate the plasma around a black hole, we need to track the motion of electrons and ions in magnetic fields. This is an extremely complex computational problem. ## The Breakthrough with Codex With Codex, we can now find new algorithms to simulate them. This makes simulations that were previously impossible a reality. CK was part of the Event Horizon team that captured the first static black hole image. In the department, he is known as the "black hole simulation expert." ## The Scientific Significance of Black Holes Look here, this is an image of a black hole. Black holes are fascinating because they overturn our current understanding of physics. We don't exactly know what we are looking for. Even if we find a result that is wrong, it pushes the field forward and drives progress. Being at the forefront of exploring the completely unknown — things that no one has ever discovered before — is incredibly exciting. The point of no return around a black hole is called the "event horizon." Being able to observe the event horizon means we are essentially touching the edge of the universe. ## Numerical Challenges in Simulations One problem we face in simulations is that if we only use standard methods, the numerical scheme becomes unstable. So, with Codex, I implemented this agent skill. It is already trying to understand the problem, then planning what evaluations are needed to determine which algorithm is better. Codex generates ten different numerical schemes. ## Performance Leap The best scheme I've seen so far is a thousand times faster. In the past, trying out ten different ideas would take me ten days. What you see Codex doing now — it completes in a few minutes. ## Outlook for Astronomical Exploration Humans are explorers. And astronomy is the ultimate frontier of exploration. If we capture the first video of a black hole, it will open a new era in black hole astrophysics. When we look at the universe in finer detail, things are often very different from what we initially imagined. And that is why exploration is so powerful. --- Source: Creating black hole simulations with Codex - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XSI4SClBMA)