Explore the cosmic recipe with our free Universe simulator!

Now you can explore the evolution of the cosmic structures and learn more about the cosmic recipe by downloading our new Universe simulator. The Heavens' Kitchen team has developed a simulation that takes you from the first instants of the life of the Universe, just after the Big Bang, through the creation of the cosmic seeds that grow under your eyes to produce the galaxies and the cosmic structure we see today in the Universe. The simulation allows you to select your own cosmic recipe by choosing the ingredients of the cosmos, to watch your Universe unfold and observe its final destiny billions of years in the future. The simulation is based on the latest cosmological data and has been produced by making use of the very same software the Heavens' Kitchen scientists use in their scientific research. Are you ready to join the quest? Download our Universe Simulator here!

System requirements

• The software requires Java 1.5 or later and 800MB of free hard disk space. You need a fast broadband connection to download the program, but no further internet connection is required to run it .
• It runs under WindowsXP, most Linux systems and Mac OSX.
• It's designed to run in a 1024x768 resolution, so change your resolution to that first if you want it to look its best.

Installation instructions

• Download the compressed archive here. Warning: this is a large (800MB) archive, whose download requires a fast (> 2MBits) broadband connection .
• Uncompress the file by double-clicking on it (ignore any security warnings by Windows)
• Double-click again of the "JavaApplication2.jar" file to run the program

Running instructions

• Select the proportions of the cosmic ingredients (total matter - both visible and dark -, dark energy and the fraction of matter that is visible) by repeatedly clicking on the dials

• Hit "Big Bang" and watch the Universe unfold! The running time from the Big Bang to the end of the Universe is about 6 minutes