Possible Early Linear Acceleration of Proto-neutron Stars via Asymmetric Neutrino Emission in Core-collapse Supernovae
- Journal:
- The Astrophysical Journal Letters
- Published:
- DOI:
- 10.3847/2041-8213/ab30ca
- Affiliations:
- 4
- Authors:
- 3
Research Highlight
Neutrinos could give neutron stars a kick start in life
© Stocktrek Images/Getty
A simulation of a supernova undergoing a core-collapse explosion provides support for an explosion mechanism in which elementary particles known as neutrinos play a big role.
Core-collapse supernovae are the death throes of massive stars, and they give birth to neutron stars or black holes. A proto-neutron star forms at the center of the explosion. Despite stars being spherical, the proto-neutron star receives a ‘kick’ in one direction. The ‘foot’ behind this kick has been keenly debated by astrophysicists.
Now, a team led by a researcher at Waseda University in Japan has performed a simulation of a core-collapse supernova that includes neutrino motion and proper motions of the proto-neutron star. They found that asymmetry associated with neutrinos may play a role in generating the neutron star kick, although further work is needed to firmly establish this.
References
- The Astrophysical Journal Letters 880, L28 (2019). doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ab30ca
| Institutions | Authors | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton University, United States of America (USA) | 0.33 | |
| National Institute of Technology, Numazu College, Japan | 0.33 | |
| Waseda University, Japan | 0.33 |