NCAR launches operations of supercomputer Cheyenne in Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching operations this month of one of the world’s most powerful and energy-efficient supercomputers, seeking to advance understanding of the atmospheric and related Earth system sciences.

Named Cheyenne, the 5.34-petaflop system is capable of more than triple the amount of scientific computing performed by the previous NCAR supercomputer, Yellowstone. It also is three times more energy-efficient.

Scientists across the country will use Cheyenne to study phenomena ranging from wildfires and seismic activity to gusts that generate power at wind farms. Their findings will lay the groundwork…