Similarity solutions for the structure of supernova blast waves driven by clumped ejecta. I. Undecelerated clumps

Journal Article · Mon Apr 15 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/163094· OSTI ID:5372826

Hamilton, A J.S.

New similarity solutions are presented for the structure of supernova blast waves driven by clumped supernova ejecta. The solutions are obtained using a spherically symmetric two-fluid hydrodynamic model in which clumps of ejecta stream through diffuse background gas. The clumps couple to the diffuse gas through mass ablation and the associated momentum and energy transfer. The most striking difference between these solutions and previous solutions is that clumps may move ahead of the shock front in the ambient medium, leading a precursor which heats the medium in advance of the main shock. The results appear to provide a natural explanation for the X-ray halo seen in Cas A and for various other aspects of the morphology of this supernova remnant. The difference between Cas A and remnants such as Tycho, in which clumps of ejecta are only observed within the confines of an interstellar shock front, may be explained by differences in evolutionary epoch, or differences in the structure of the ambient medium, or intrinsic differences in the clumps.

• Research Organization: Princeton University Observatory
• OSTI ID: 5372826
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 291:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABLATION
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONSERVATION LAWS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF STATE
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
LINEAR MOMENTUM TRANSFER
MASS
MECHANICS
MOMENTUM TRANSFER
MORPHOLOGY
NEBULAE
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
SHOCK WAVES
SIMULATION
STARS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
SUPERNOVAE
VARIABLE STARS