February 22
Abstract:
Core-collapse supernovae are some of the most energetic events in the
Universe; they herald the birth of neutron stars and black holes, are
a major site for nucleosynthesis, influence galactic hydrodynamics,
trigger further star formation, and are prodigious emitters of
neutrinos and gravitational waves. Though these explosions play an
important and multifaceted role in many cosmic phenomena, the
details of the explosion mechanism have remained elusive for many
decades. Recent theoretical developments suggest that non-radial
instabilities may make the difference between a fizzled result and successful
explosions. In this talk, I will discuss the theoretical conditions for
successful explosions, emphasizing the role of convection in aiding
neutrino-driven explosions.