Revealing the Hidden Universe with Numerical Relativity

The apparent simplicity of General Relativity’s fundamental equation has defied analytical solutions except in a few idealized cases. Until recently, even numerical techniques failed against the nonlinearities and singularities that are inherent in the theory. Today, new computer simulations allow us to visualize the innermost workings of violent astrophysical phenomena, such as supernova explosions and collisions of black holes and neutron stars, which can generate powerful gravitational waves.