Three-dimensional delayed-detonation model of Type Ia supernova
Sep, 2004
19 pages
Published in:
- Astrophys.J. 623 (2005) 337-346
e-Print:
- astro-ph/0409598 [astro-ph]
DOI:
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Abstract: (arXiv)
We study a Type Ia supernova explosion using large-scale three-dimensional numerical simulations based on reactive fluid dynamics with a simplified mechanism for nuclear reactions and energy release. The initial deflagration stage of the explosion involves a subsonic turbulent thermonuclear flame propagating in the gravitational field of an expanding white dwarf. The deflagration produces an inhomogeneous mixture of unburned carbon and oxygen with intermediate-mass and iron-group elements in central parts of the star. During the subsequent detonation stage, a supersonic detonation wave propagates through the material unburned by the deflagration. The total energy released in this delayed-detonation process, (1.3-1.6)x10^51 ergs, is consistent with a typical range of kinetic energies obtained from observations. In contrast to the deflagration model that releases only about 0.6x10^51 ergs, the delayed-detonation model does not leave carbon, oxygen, and intermediate-mass elements in central parts of a white dwarf. This removes the key disagreement between three-dimensional simulations and observations, and makes a delayed detonation the mostly likely mechanism for Type Ia supernova explosions.- hydrodynamics
- nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances
- supernovae: general
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