The exceptional Lie group E8 is one of the most complicated structures ever studied. It is also one of the most perfectly symmetrical mathmatical structures in the universe. The picture above shows E8 in an 8-dimensional form projected onto two dimensions. E8 is a 248-dimensional object that describes a 57-dimensional shape in the same way that three dimensions are needed to describe a sphere, which is two-dimensional. This structure appears to be embedded in the heart of physics and the quest for a unified theory.
It took 18 mathematicians four years using 77 hours of supercomputer time to describe the structure. The structure could help determine the deep inner structure of the universe. Find out as much as you want to know about E8 here.
Why the sudden interest in E8? Well, you will have to read The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child to find that out.
No comments:
Post a Comment