The Digital Demo Room
Thin Disk Galaxy Simulator

Advanced User



Definitions of the various parameters used can be found here. Links to individual parameters are also available below.

Number of bodies to be integrated:  
-Note that larger numbers of bodies will take longer to simulate

Select the form of background potential to impose (look here for details):


The various forms of background potentials require variable inputs; see potential descriptions for specific use of each parameter for the selected potential:
param1:  
param2:  
-Note: The "Galaxy Potential" doesn't use these parameters

Select the method of integration for the background potential. These methods are described here.


In addition to (or instead of) a background potential, the simulator can integrate using the self-gravity of the bodies (see here for details). Select the desired self-gravity integration method:


Choose the time duration of the simulation:  
-Note: Large values are allowed, but be aware that simulation time (and mpeg download time) will grow accordingly.

Enter the simulation timestep; ie, the time differential used to evolve particle trajectories:  

Enter the image dumping frequency; ie, the number of timesteps to elapse between movie frames:  

Enter the radial density distribution dispersion variable alpha:  
-Note: smaller values of alpha lead to a more defined ring

Select the dimensions in pixels of each MPEG frame:  
-Note: Larger MPEGs will take longer to produce and download.