A visual color coded image of the plasma energy distribution inside a supernova (left) and a white dwarf at the moment of detonation shoots out a initial plume. (right)

Physicists recently created more sophisticated computer modeling for supernovas in order to understand the 3 dimensional complexities of such an event. Previous theory and modeling relied on slower computers that generated three dimensional models only by making assumptions of symmetry for one or two directions, thus giving them a less detailed full picture of supernovas. Original simplified theory believed that a massive star’s structure prior to supernova was composed concentric spherical shells made up of heavier elements as one goes deeper into the star. When gravitational collapse first starts, right as nuclear fuel is running out, the star starts to emit large amounts of energy in the form of neutrinos weakly interacting particles due to the compression of the core causing temperature increase. As the core heats up more, this generates more neutrinos and eventually leads to a complete explosion of the envelope of the star leaving behind only a remnant of gas filled with heavy elements and possibly a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

What this new super computer modeling at Argonne National Laboratory shows is that although this theory is true of concentric layers, convection and mixing occurs between layers and increases at the onset of a supernova, leading the star to pulsate and ‘flop,’ creating ejections of heavier material creating instability before the actual supernova explosion. This new theory explains a lot of experimental data on real supernovas, such SN1987A, where we see exactly this phenomenon; Heavy metal material is being ejected before the supernova occurred and then new debris during the explosion is ejected at much faster speeds and catching up with the material. Computer Modeling of this caliber is what is needed to understand the minor details and complexities of stellar evolution, especially for events as dramatic and quick as a supernova.

Sources:

http://news.discovery.com/space/simulation-gives-new-gimpse-into-supernovas-chaotic-guts-140319.htm

Modern Astrophysics 2nd Edition by Carroll Ostlie