universe sandbox 2 making a habitable planet

Its size was so small in comparison to other celestial bodies that my only hope of tracking its movement was to enable trails, which introduced unrealistic visual variables to my simulation. The black hole began its journey 90 AU from the Sun, which is equal to 13,463,808,363 kilometers, or nearly three times the separation of Pluto’s average distance from the Sun. Birthed only by the violent death of stars much more massive than our sun, the science behind their inner workings has puzzled the brightest minds of humanity during the past half millenium.

This profoundly small size is the norm when it comes to black holes, as astronomers have learned during recent years. In other words, you could fit nearly 22 of them inside Earth. Most calculators can’t even comprehend that figure.ĭespite its enormous mass, this black hole had a radius of 295 kilometers. For the mathematically inclined, that’s 100(1.989 × 10^30) kilograms. And not just any ordinary black hole, but one with incredible mass: 100 solar masses (1 solar mass = mass of the Sun) to be exact. With open, seemingly infinite space before me, the first thing I thought of was sending a black hole through the Solar System. Although it’s currently in Early Access, it’s commonly featured in YouTube videos to help visualize complex topics. It’s one of a kind, resulting in widespread admiration among astronomy enthusiasts. However, this last weekend I engaged in the process of experimentation using Universe Sandbox 2.Īlthough technically qualifying as a video game, Universe Sandbox 2 is much more of a physics simulator, going beyond what games like Kerbal Space Program offer to allow users to engage in astronomical experiments.

In nearly all cases I’ve employed a hands-off approach, reading books and watching documentaries to grow my understanding of the world around me. Its vastness and beauty led me to gaze at countless photos taken by the legendary Hubble Space Telescope with awe, and decorate my walls with the sight of planets and stars.Īs I’ve grown older I’ve learned to extend my hobbyism beyond simply admiring photos, instead educating myself on physics and astronomy. Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by outer space.

Universe sandbox 2 making a habitable planet