Formation of supernova remnants: The pre-blast-wave phase

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/159274· OSTI ID:5542952

Jones, E M; Smith, B W; Straka, W C

The effect of stellar structure on supernova remnant formation is studied with a series of computer models of a 10/sup 51/ erg explosion in a 15 M/sub sun/ star. We find that immediately after the explosion shock wave travels down a steep density gradient, the material in the gradient goes into free expansion, forming a collapsible piston. At the outer edge of such a piston are two shock waves: the expanding supernova shock and a reverse shock moving back into the collapsible piston. Until the piston is completely collapsed it is Rayleigh-Taylor stable, but after collpse the inner material behaves as a massive piston and the interface is R-T unstable. If there is a significant mass in an external density gradient, the material between the supernova shock moving out through the interstellar medium and the reverse shock will be a singificant source of x-rays during the pre--blast-wave phase of remnant formation.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 5542952
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 249:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
MECHANICS
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SHOCK WAVES
SIMULATION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
WAVE PROPAGATION