Presupernova evolution of massive stars

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156569· OSTI ID:6467940

Weaver, T A; Zimmerman, G B; Woosley, S E

Population I stars of 15 M/sub sun/ and 25 M/sub sun/ have been evolved from the zero-age main sequence through iron core collapse utilizing a numerical model that incorporates both implicit hydro-dynamics and a detailed treatment of nuclear reactions. The stars end their presupernova evolution as red supergiants with photospheric radii of 3.9 x 10/sup 13/ cm and 6.7 x 10/sup 13/ cm, respectively, and density structures similar to those invoked to explain Type II supernova light curves on a strictly hydrodynamic basis. Both stars are found to form substantially neutronized ''iron'' cores of 1.56M/sub sun/ and 1.61 M/sub sun/, and central electron abundances of 0.427 and 0.439 moles g/sup -1/, respectively, during hydrostatic silicon burning. Just prior to collapse, the abundances of the elements in the 25 M/sub sun/ star (excluding the neutronized iron core) have ratios strikingly close to their solar system values over the mass range from oxygen to calcium, while the 15 M/sub sun/ star is characterized by large enhancements of Ne, Mg, and Si. It is pointed out on nucleo-synthetic grounds that the mass of the neutronized core must represent a lower limit to the mass of the neutron star or black hole remnant that stars in this mass range can normally produce.

• Research Organization: University of California Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 6467940
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 225:3; 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
CONVECTION
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
FLUID MECHANICS
GIANT STARS
GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROSTATICS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
SUPERGIANT STARS
SUPERNOVAE
VARIABLE STARS