A supercomputer is a computer that works thousands of times
faster than the best desktop personal computer. It does this by combining many
processors together so that they can all work on different parts of a problem
at the same time. People use supercomputers when they want millions of detailed
results very quickly. These monster machines are now at work on all kinds of
things, from predicting storms to designing next year’s
cars.
Supercomputers can predict the track of a spiralling hurricane in
time to warn people of its approach. The giant machines are fed with thousands
of atmospheric measurements to produce pictures showing how the weather will
develop over the next few hours. Changes in a small part of the atmosphere can
have a big effect on the weather. Doing the maths fast enough to keep ahead of
events can be done only by a supercomputer.
