An astrophysicist uses Codex to build black hole simulations faster
Astrophysicist Chi-kwan Chan uses Codex, an AI coding tool from OpenAI, to write the complex code needed to simulate black holes on a computer. This lets him spend less time wrestling with programming and more time on the actual physics research, including testing Einstein's theory of general relativity under extreme conditions.
Simulating a black hole requires translating dense physics equations into hundreds of lines of code — work that used to eat up significant research time. By describing what he needs in plain language, Chan can have Codex draft the code for him, then review and refine it rather than writing from scratch. This dramatically speeds up the cycle from physics idea to working simulation.
The story is a concrete example of AI coding tools becoming useful beyond professional software developers — scientists, engineers, and domain experts who code as a means to an end are finding real productivity gains. For solo developers and makers, the takeaway is that pairing deep subject-matter knowledge with a tool like Codex can lower the barrier to tackling technically complex projects.
Key points
- Chan uses Codex to draft simulation code by describing the physics in plain language, not writing every line by hand.
- The simulations model extreme conditions around black holes to test Einstein's general relativity theory.
- AI coding tools are now providing real productivity gains for scientists, not just professional developers.
- The approach: describe what you need → Codex drafts the code → researcher reviews and refines it.
- Pairing domain expertise with an AI coding tool can make previously daunting programming tasks approachable.
Quick term guide
- AI coding tool
- Software that uses AI to help write, edit, or explain code.
- compute
- The server power and chips needed to run AI systems.
- testing
- The process of checking that software does what it's supposed to do, usually by running it and looking for errors.
- general relativity
- Einstein's theory that describes how very strong gravity warps space and time — it's what physicists use to understand black holes.
- simulation
- A computer-made test that copies parts of real life.
- AI coding tools
- Programs like Claude, Cursor, or ChatGPT that write code for you when you describe what you want in plain language.
- software
- Programs or apps that run on a computer or smartphone.
- developers
- Developers are people who build software, apps, or websites.