Convective instabilities in SN 1987A

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185620· OSTI ID:6956297

Benz, W; Thielemann, F ^[1]

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1. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA (USA)

Following Bandiera (1984), it is shown that the relevant criterion to determine the stability of a blast wave, propagating through the layers of a massive star in a supernova explosion, is the Schwarzschild (or Ledoux) criterion rather than the Rayleigh-Taylor criterion. Both criteria coincide only in the incompressible limit. Results of a linear stability analysis are presented for a one-dimensional (spherical) explosion in a realistic model for the progenitor of SN 1987A. When applying the Schwarzschild criterion, unstable regions get extended considerably. Convection is found to develop behind the shock, with a characteristic growth rate corresponding to a time scale much smaller than the shock traversal time. This ensures that efficient mixing will take place. Since the entire ejected mass is found to be convectively unstable, Ni can be transported outward, even into the hydrogen envelope, while hydrogen can be mixed deep into the helium core. 47 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6956297
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 348; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• 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
CONVECTIVE INSTABILITIES
ELEMENTS
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
EXPLOSIONS
FLUID FLOW
GALAXIES
HYDROGEN
INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW
INSTABILITY
MAGELLANIC CLOUDS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
MIXING
NICKEL
NONMETALS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
SHOCK WAVES
STABILITY
STAR MODELS
STARS
SUPERNOVAE
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIABLE STARS
WAVE PROPAGATION