N-Body Simulation created with Paraview

3D Model

Traditional approaches to analysis of N-body simulations involve codes written by the simulation code user (astrophysicist) or person with a similar background, possibly the simulation code author. Generally, this involves wrangling large datasets of simulation variables (e.g., masses, position and velocity vectors, energies, stellar surface temperatures, etc.), computation of ad hoc quantities, and graphing of various quantities. While it might involve the production of synthetic images or animations of N-body system evolution, these tend to be for presentation purposes, rather than as an investigative tool to complement other techniques of analysis.

This point cloud generated with Paraview shows 4 million particles and are colored by their Helium mass fraction, with blue indicating lower hmf (<.26) and red indicating higher hmf (>.32). The particles form a funnel-like structure narrow on one side and expanding on the other.