Central engine model for bright supernovae
Core-collapse supernovae (SNe) sometimes show extreme brightness (superluminous SNe: ~10-100 times brighter than normal SNe) and/or huge explosion energy (broad-lined type Ic SNe: ~10 times more energetic than normal SNe). However, their origin remains unclear. One of the proposed models for these extreme events is “central engine scenario”, in which a high energy compact object left after the explosion deposit additional energy into the surrounding ejected matter (SN ejecta) to make it bright.
Dr. Akihiro Suzuki (Division of Science, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) and Prof. Keiichi Maeda (Kyoto U.) have carried out 3D special relativistic simulations based on this central engine scenario. They found that SN ejecta with a sufficiently powerful engine experience efficient mixing between stratified layers in the ejecta. This result suggests that SN ejecta with a sufficiently powerful engine have an advantage in explaining some observational features of energetic SNe, such as broad emission/absorption lines in their spectra.
2019/08/15
Reference:
Suzuki, A. and Maeda, K., The Astrophysical Journal, 880, 150 [ADS] [doi]
Contact:
Akihiro Suzuki [personal website]
