The movies listed below show the evolution of the dark matter field in N-body simulations, projected through a particular slab. Brighter colors indicate higher density. The cosmology adopted in the simulations is roughly the WMAP7 cosmology of Komatsu et al. 2011, Ωm = 0.27, ΩΛ = 1 – Ωm, Ωb = 0.0469, H0 = 70, σ8 = 0.82, and ns = 0.95. All box sizes are given in comoving Mpc (not Mpc/h).

The movies showcase structure formation on large and small scales. Some correspond to unconventional scenarios, such as running simulations well into the future, or showing the simulation box in physical rather than comoving coordinates (thanks to Charlie Conroy and Mike Hudson for their creative movie suggestions).

The individual frames were created using Phil Mansfield’s visualization code gotetra. This algorithm is based on the tetrahedron method laid out in Kaehler et al. 2012 (see also Abel et al. 2012, Hahn et al. 2013, 2014). Feel free to use the movies in presentations, but please acknowledge Diemer & Mansfield as the authors.

One of the movies was used in a recent episode of PBS’ NOVA wonders show, What is the Universe made of?

Formation of the cosmic web (large volume)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		179 x 134 Mpc
18 Mpc
1600 x 1200		Movie5
Low quality, 20s
Low quality, 40s
High quality, 20s
High quality, 40s		mp4 (2.8 MB)
mp4 (5.3 MB)
mp4 (13 MB)
mp4 (26 MB)
Formation of the cosmic web (medium volume)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		89 x 67 Mpc
9 Mpc
1600 x 1200		Movie8
High quality, 20s
High quality, 40s		mp4 (13 MB)
mp4 (26 MB)
Formation of the cosmic web (small volume)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		45 x 33 Mpc
14 Mpc
1600 x 1200		Movie9
High quality, 30s
High quality, 60s		mp4 (20 MB)
mp4 (39 MB)
Formation of the cosmic web (very small volume, high-density region)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		22 x 17 Mpc
14 Mpc
1600 x 1200		Movie10
Low quality, 30s
Low quality, 60s
High quality, 30s
High quality, 60s		mp4 (12 MB)
mp4 (23 MB)
mp4 (31 MB)
mp4 (61 MB)
Formation of the cosmic web (in physical coordinates, showing periodic boundaries, large volume)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		179 x 179 Mpc
18 Mpc
1200 x 1200		Movie11
Low quality, 40s
Low quality, 40s, with lines
High quality, 40s
High quality, 40s, with lines		mp4 (10 MB)
mp4 (10 MB)
mp4 (29 MB)
mp4 (28 MB)
Formation of the cosmic web (in physical coordinates, showing periodic boundaries, small volume)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		45 x 45 Mpc (at z = 0)
9 Mpc
1200 x 1200		Movie12
High quality, 30s
High quality, 30s, with lines
High quality, 60s
High quality, 60s, with lines		mp4 (22 MB)
mp4 (22 MB)
mp4 (42 MB)
mp4 (42 MB)
Formation of the cosmic web into the future (until a = 10)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		179 x 134 Mpc
18 Mpc
1600 x 1200		Movie7
Low quality, 30s
High quality, 30s		mp4 (3.9 MB)
mp4 (20 MB)
Formation of the cosmic web (square, lower resolution)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:		179 x 179 Mpc
18 Mpc
800 x 800		movie2
Low quality, 20s
Low quality, 40s
High quality, 20s
High quality, 40s		mp4 (1.4 MB)
mp4 (2.6 MB)
mp4 (5.3 MB)
mp4 (10 MB)
Formation of a cluster halo
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:
Final halo Mvir:		19 x 14 Mpc
14 Mpc
1600 x 1200
3.2x1014 Msun /h		Movie6
Low quality, 60s
High quality, 60s
High quality, 60s, with halos		mp4 (23 MB)
mp4 (61 MB)
mp4 (68 MB)
Formation of a cluster halo (square, lower resolution)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:
Final halo Mvir:		14 x 14 Mpc
14 Mpc
800 x 800
1.2x1015 Msun /h		movie4
Low quality, 20s
Low quality, 40s
High quality, 20s
High quality, 40s
High quality, 40s,
with halos		mp4 (2.6 MB)
mp4 (5.1 MB)
mp4 (10 MB)
mp4 (20 MB)
mp4 (22 MB)
Infall region around a cluster halo (square, lower resolution)
Box size:
Projection Depth:
Resolution:
Final halo Mvir:		29 x 29 Mpc
29 Mpc
800 x 800
1.2x1015 Msun /h		movie3
Low quality, 20s
Low quality, 40s
High quality, 20s
High quality, 40s		mp4 (2.6 MB)
mp4 (5.1 MB)
mp4 (7.7 MB)
mp4 (15 MB)