The Emerging Detailed Theory of Core-Collapse Supernova Explosions

Using more than 20 state-of-the-art 3D core-collapse simulations tounprecedented late times (fully in 3D), I provide correlations betweencore-collapse supernova observables and progenitor core structures thatemerge. This is the largest such collection of 3D supernova models evergenerated and allows one to witness and derive testable patterns thatmight otherwise be obscured when studying one or a few models inisolation. From this panoramic perspective, we have discoveredcorrelations between explosionenergy, neutron star gravitational birthmasses, the yields of the chemical elements, and pulsar kicks andtheoretically important correlations with the compactness parameter ofprogenitor structure. We find a correlation between explosion energy andprogenitor mantle binding energy, suggesting that such explosions areself-regulating. We also find a testable correlation between explosionenergy and measures of explosion asymmetry, such as the ejecta massdipole. However, while I contend the core-collapse supernova problem isnow qualitatively solved, there is much yet to do in supernova theorybefore it can robustly and quantitatively explain the variety of supernovaobservations. I will close with suggested paths forward to achieve thisultimate goal.

Speaker: Adam Burrows, Stanford University