The site for r-process nucleosynthesis

Following our hypothesis that each supernova (SN) event triggers star formation in the swept-up gas, so that newly formed stars inherit the elemental abundance pattern of individual SNe, we deduce the production sites and yields for r-process elements. We further show that a strong evidence for the origin of r-process nucleosynthesis products was just there in our backyard - supernova SN1987A -, and conclude that 20 M _⊙ SNe are the predominant production sites for r-process elements. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The bolometric light curve of SN 1993J and the nature of its progenitor

We have constructed the bolometric light curve of SN 1993J based on UBVRI(JHK) photometric data obtained from various sources and assumingA _V = 0 and a distance modulus of 27.6. Effective temperatures and photosphere radius at various times have been obtained from detailed blackbody fits. The bolometric light curve shows two maxima. The short rise time to the second maximum, and the luminosities at the minimum and the second maximum are used to constrain the properties of the progenitor star. The total mass of the hydrogen envelope M_H, in the star is found to be ≲ 0.2 M_⊙ at the time of explosion, and the explosion ejected about 0.05 M_⊙ of Ni⁵⁶. Thin hydrogen envelope combined with a sufficient presupernova luminosity suggest that the exploding star was in a binary with a probable period range of 5yr ≤P _orb ≤ 11yr.     

The X-ray transient 080109 in NGC 2770: an X-ray flash associated with a normal core-collapse supernova

Although it is generally thought that long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) are associated with core-collapse supernovae (SNe), so far only four pairs of GRBs and SNe with firmly established connection have been found. All the four GRB-SNe belong to special class of Type Ic – called the broad-lined SNe indicative of a large explosion energy, suggesting that only a small fraction of SNe Ibc have GRBs associated with them. This scheme has been refreshed by the discovery of a bright X-ray transient in NGC 2770 on 2008 January 9, which was followed by a rather normal Type Ib SN 2008D. In this paper, I argue that the transient 080109 is an X-ray flash (XRF, the soft version of a GRB) because of the following evidence. (1) The transient cannot be interpreted as a SN shock breakout event. (2) The GRB X-ray flare interpretation is not supported by the high-energy observation. I then show that XRF 080109 satisfies the well-known relation between the isotropic-equivalent energy and the peak spectral energy for LGRBs, which highly strengthens the XRF interpretation. Finally, I point out that the peak spectral energy of XRF 080109 and the maximum bolometric luminosity of SN 2008D agree with the   E _γ,peak– L _SN,max  relationship of Li, strengthening the validity of the relationship. I speculate that events like XRF 080109 may occur at a rate comparable to SNe Ibc, and a soft X-ray telescope devoted to surveying for nearby X-ray flares will be very fruitful in discovering them.     

Study of envelope velocity evolution of core-collapse type Ib-c supernovae from observations of XRF 080109 / SN 2008D and GRB 060218 / SN 2006aj with BTA

Results of modeling the spectra of two supernovae SN2008D and SN2006aj related to the X-ray flash XRF 080109 and gamma-ray burst GRB/XRF 060218, respectively, are studied. The spectra were obtained with the 6-meter BTA telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 6.48 and 27.61 days after the explosion of SN2008D, and in 2.55 and 3.55 days after the explosion of SN2006aj. The spectra were interpreted in the Sobolev approximation with the SYNOW code. An assumption about the presence of envelopes around the progenitor stars is confirmed by an agreement between the velocities of lines interpreted as hydrogen and helium, and the empiric power-law velocity drop with time for the envelopes of classic core-collapse supernovae. Detection of a P Cyg profile of the Hβ line in the spectra of optical afterglows of GRBs can be a determinative argument in favor of this hypothesis.     

A Model of the Vela Supernova Remnant

A model of the Vela supernova remnant (SNR) based on a cavity explosion of a supernova (SN) star is proposed. It is suggested that the general structure of the remnant is determined by the interaction of the SN blast wave with a massive shell created by the SN progenitor (15-20 M_⊙) star. A possible origin of the nebula of hard X-ray emission detected around the Velapulsar is discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Yields of r-Process Elements and Chemical Evolution of the Galaxy

The supernova yields of r-process elements are obtained as a function of the mass of their progenitor stars from the abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor stars on the left-side [{Ba/Mg}]--[{Mg/H}] boundary with a procedure proposed by Tsujimoto and Shigeyama. The ejected masses of r-process elements associated with stars of progenitor mass M _ms ≤ 18 M _⊙ are infertile sources and the SNe II with 20 M _⊙ ≤ M _ms ≤ 40 M _⊙ are the dominant source of r-process nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The ratio of these stars 20 M _⊙ ≤ M _ms ≤ 40 M _⊙ with compared to the all massive stars is about∼ 18%. In this paper, we present a simple model that describes a star's [r/Fe] in terms of the nucleosynthesis yields of r-process elements and the number of SN II explosions. Combined the r-process yields obtained by our procedure with the scatter model of the Galactic halo, the observed abundance patterns of the metal-poor stars can be well reproduced.     

Production of dust by massive stars at high redshift

The large amounts of dust detected in sub-millimeter galaxies and quasars at high redshift pose a challenge to galaxy formation models and theories of cosmic dust formation. At z>6 only stars of relatively high mass (>3 M_⊙) are sufficiently short-lived to be potential stellar sources of dust. This review is devoted to identifying and quantifying the most important stellar channels of rapid dust formation. We ascertain the dust production efficiency of stars in the mass range 3–40 M_⊙ using both observed and theoretical dust yields of evolved massive stars and supernovae (SNe) and provide analytical expressions for the dust production efficiencies in various scenarios. We also address the strong sensitivity of the total dust productivity to the initial mass function. From simple considerations, we find that, in the early Universe, high-mass (>3 M_⊙) asymptotic giant branch stars can only be dominant dust producers if SNe generate ≲3×10⁻³ M_⊙ of dust whereas SNe prevail if they are more efficient. We address the challenges in inferring dust masses and star-formation rates from observations of high-redshift galaxies. We conclude that significant SN dust production at high redshift is likely required to reproduce current dust mass estimates, possibly coupled with rapid dust grain growth in the interstellar medium.     

On the pair-instability supernovae and gamma-ray burst phenomenon

We present a model of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) related to “very massive” stars. In the framework of our model, the GRB phenomenon is a result of helium burning in degenerate conditions in a massive star (≳130 M _⊙), in which the thermal nuclear burning occurs in the deflagration regime and has a pulsating temporal pattern. The shock runs away from the burning (reaction) zone, which leads to the development of a coronal outflow (jet-like) structure. In our scenario the GRB observable prompt fast rise and decay part can be a result of photon propagation through the hot corona (Comptonization photosphere) of the star. On the other hand, the GRB afterglow is a cooling phase of the expanding and outflowing envelope. Presumably, the X-ray part of the GRB emergent spectrum is formed due to upscattering of soft photons of outer layers of the star off hot coronal electrons, and thus it should have a specific shape of the Comptonization spectrum.     

The impact of a supernova explosion in a very massive binary

We consider the effect of a supernova (SN) explosion in a very massive binary that is expected to form in a portion of Population III stars with the mass higher than  100 M_⊙  . In a Population III binary system, a more massive star can result in the formation of a black hole (BH) and a surrounding accretion disc. Such BH accretion could be a significant source of the cosmic reionization in the early Universe. However, a less massive companion star evolves belatedly and eventually undergoes a SN explosion, so that the accretion disc around a BH might be blown off in a lifetime of companion star. In this paper, we explore the dynamical impact of a SN explosion on an accretion disc around a massive BH, and elucidate whether the BH accretion disc is totally demolished or not. For the purpose, we perform three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of a very massive binary system, where we assume a BH of  10³ M_⊙  that results from a direct collapse of a very massive star and a companion star of  100 M_⊙  that undergoes a SN explosion. We calculate the remaining mass of a BH accretion disc as a function of time. As a result, it is found that a significant portion of gas disc can survive through three-dimensional geometrical effects even after the SN explosion of a companion star. Even if the SN explosion energy is higher by two orders of magnitude than the binding energy of gas disc, about a half of disc can be left over. The results imply that the Population III BH accretion disc can be a long-lived luminous source, and therefore could be an important ionizing source in the early Universe.     

Stellar-wind envelope around the massive supernova progenitor XRF/GRB 060218/SN 2006aj

The spectra of the supernova SN 2006aj identified with the X-ray flash (XRF) and gammaray burst XRF/GRB 060218/SN 2006aj taken with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences are found to exhibit features, which can be interpreted as hydrogen lines. Such features indicate the existence of a stellar-wind envelope around the massive star—the progenitor of the gamma-ray burst. The results of our modeling of two early spectra taken with the 6-m telescope 2.55 and 3.55 days after the explosion of the type-Ic supernova SN 2006aj (z=0.0331) are reported. The spectra are modeled in the Sobolev approximation using SYNOW code [1, 2]. The spectra of the optical afterglow of the X-ray flash XRF/GRB 060218 are found to exhibit spectral features, which can be interpreted as: (1) the P Cyg-profile of the Hα line for the velocity of 33000 km/s—a broad and small deformation of the continuum in the wavelength interval 5600–6600Å for the first epoch (2.55 days) and (2) a part of the P Cyg-profile of the Hα line in absorption blueshifted by 24000 km/s—a broad spectral feature with a minimum at 6100Å (rest wavelength) for the second epoch (3.55 days). Given earlier observations made with the 6-m telescope and the spectra taken with other telescopes (ESO Lick, ESO VLT and NOT) prior to February 23, 2006, it can be concluded that we are observing the evolution of optical spectra of the type Ic massive supernova SN2006aj during its transition from the short phase with the “shock breakout” into the external layers of the stellar-wind envelope to the spectra of the phase of rising supernova luminosity, which corresponds to radiative heating. We are the first to observe the signs of hydrogen in the spectra of a gamma-ray afterglow.     

The evolution of BD+60°2522: with mass loss and overshooting

The ionizing star BD+60°2522 is known as the central star of Bubble Nebulae NGC 7635—wind-blown bubble created by the interaction of the stellar wind of BD+60°2522 (O6.5 IIIef, V=8.7 mag, mass loss rate 10^−5.76 M _⊙/year) with the ambient interstellar medium. From the evolutionary calculations for the star with mass loss and overshooting, we find that the initial mass of the star is 60M _⊙, its present age is 2.5×10⁶ years, and the present mass is 45M _⊙.     

Hydrodynamics of Supernova Evolution in the Winds of Massive Stars

Core-Collapse supernovae arise from stars greater than 8 M_⊙. These stars lose a considerable amount of mass during their lifetime, which accumulates around the star forming wind-blown bubbles. Upon the death of the star in a spectacular explosion, the resulting SN shock wave will interact with this modified medium. We study the evolution of the shock wave, and investigate the properties of this interaction. We concentrate on the evolution of the SN shock wave in the medium around a 35 solar mass star. We discuss the hydrodynamics of the resulting interaction, the formation and growth of instabilities, and deviations from sphericity.     

On the pre-supernova parameters of the Hercules X-1 system

On the assumption that, at the moment of the supernova explosion, the presently nondegenerate companion of Her X-1 was a Main-Sequence star with polytropic indexn=3, it is found that the effects of impact and ablation cannot have removed more than about 10% of its pre-supernova mass. A remnant mass for a neutron star of 1.4M was adopted. The effects of impact and ablation were calculated in the manner given by Wheeleret al. (1975). Depending on the ejection velocity of the SN shell, it is found that with a pre-SN mass of 2.2M (i.e., the maximum possible value) for the non-degenerate component, the initial binary period was in the range 2–4 days.     

On the collapse of neutron stars and stellar cores to pion-condensed stars

The transition from a neutron star to a pion-condensed star is investigated in Newtonian hydrodynamics. It is shown that in a certain range of ultradense equations of state, there occurs a mass ejection with energies comparable with usual supernova outputs. But the ejected mass is only in the order of 0.02M _⊙. Therefore, the observable consequences of this transition are not so dramatic as conjectured recently. In a realistic scenario including a stiff ultradense equation of state and a weak effect of pion condensation the mass ejection disappears. Additionally the collapse of a stellar core to a neutron star with pion-condensed core is considered. In comparison with a standard supernova scenario we find only a slightly reduced explosion energy. Further, the possible consequence of pion condensation during the secular evolution of the bounced core of a collapsing star to the cool final neutron star is discussed.     

On the relationship between pulsars and supernova remnants

We propose that single stars in the mass range 4–6·5M _⊙, that explode as Supernovae of Type I, are totally disrupted by the explosion and form shell-type remnants. More massive single stars which explode as Supernovae of Type II also give rise to shell-type remnants, but in this case a neutron star or a black hole is left behind. The first supernova explosion in a close binary also gives rise to a shell-type supernova remnant. The Crab-like filled-centre supernova remnants are formed by the second supernova explosion in a close binary. The hybrid supernova remnants, consisting of a filled centre surrounded by a shell, are formed if there is an active neutron star inside the shell.     

Pulsational instability of yellow hypergiants

Instability of population I (X = 0.7, Z = 0.02) massive stars against radial oscillations during the post-main-sequence gravitational contraction of the helium core is investigated. Initial stellar masses are in the range 65M _⊙ ≤ M _ZAMS ≤ 90M _⊙. In hydrodynamic computations of self-exciting stellar oscillations we assumed that energy transfer in the envelope of the pulsating star is due to radiative heat conduction and convection. The convective heat transfer was treated in the framework of the theory of time-dependent turbulent convection. During evolutionary expansion of outer layers after hydrogen exhaustion in the stellar core the star is shown to be unstable against radial oscillations while its effective temperature is T _eff > 6700 K for M _ZAMS = 65M _⊙ and T _eff > 7200 K for M _ZAMS = 90M _⊙. Pulsational instability is due to the κ-mechanism in helium ionization zones and at lower effective temperature oscillations decay because of significantly increasing convection. The upper limit of the period of radial pulsations on this stage of evolution does not exceed ≈200 day. Radial oscillations of the hypergiant resume during evolutionary contraction of outer layers when the effective temperature is T _eff > 7300 K for M _ZAMS = 65M _⊙ and T _eff > 7600 K for M _ZAMS = 90M _⊙. Initially radial oscillations are due to instability of the first overtone and transition to fundamental mode pulsations takes place at higher effective temperatures (T _eff > 7700 K for M _ZAMS = 65M _⊙ and T _eff > 8200 K for M _ZAMS = 90M _⊙). The upper limit of the period of radial oscillations of evolving blueward yellow hypergiants does not exceed ≈130 day. Thus, yellow hypergiants are stable against radial stellar pulsations during the major part of their evolutionary stage.     

Aq Psc – Analysis of New Light Curves

New BV light curves of the A-type W UMa star AQ Psc (P = 0.476d) have been observed and are described. A few times of minimum light are obtained and the ephemeris is improved. The light curves are analyzed for the binary parameters with a light curve synthesis method. Combining the results with Lu and Rucinski’s spectroscopic mass ratio we determined the masses and radii of the components: M ₁ = 1.69M _⊙, M ₂ = 0.38M _⊙, R ₁ = 1.77R _⊙, and R ₂ = 0.89R _⊙.     

Evolution of massive close binaries and formation of neutron stars and black holes

Main results of computations of evolution for massive close binaries (10M +9.4M , 16M +15M , 32M +30M , 64M +60M ) up to oxygen exhaustion in the core are described. Mass exchange starting in core hydrogen, shell hydrogen and core helium burning stages was studied. Computations were performed assuming both the Ledoux and Schwarzschild stability criteria for semiconvection. The influence of UFI-neutrino emission on evolution of close binaries was investigated. The results obtained allow to outline the following evolutionary chain: two detached Main-Sequence stars — mass exchange — Wolf-Rayet star or blue supergiant plus main sequence star — explosion of the initially more massive star appearing as a supernova event — collapsed or neutron star plus Main-Sequence star, that may be observed as a runaway star — mass exchange leading to X-rays emission — collapsed or neutron star plus WR-star or blue supergiant — second explosion of supernova that preferentially disrupts the system and gives birth to two single high spatial velocity pulsars.Numerical estimates concerning the number and properties of WR-stars, pulsars and X-ray sources are presented. The results are in favour of the existence of UFI-neutrino and of the Ledoux criterion for describing semiconvection. Properties of several well-known X-ray sources and the binary pulsar are discussed on base of evolutionary chain of close binaries.     

Neutron star sequences and the starquake glitch model for the Crab and the Vela pulsars

We construct for the first time, the sequences of stable neutron star (NS) models capable of explaining simultaneously, the glitch healing parameters, Q, of both the pulsars, the Crab (Q≥0.7) and the Vela (Q≤0.2), on the basis of starquake mechanism of glitch generation, whereas the conventional NS models cannot give such consistent explanation. Furthermore, our models also yield an upper bound on NS masses similar to those obtained in the literature for a variety of modern equations of state (EOSs) compatible with causality and dynamical stability. If the lower limit of the observational constraint of (i) Q≥0.7 for the Crab pulsar and (ii) the recent value of the moment of inertia for the Crab pulsar (evaluated on the basis of time-dependent acceleration model of the Crab Nebula), I _Crab,45≥1.93 (where I ₄₅=I/10⁴⁵ g cm²), both are imposed together on our models, the models yield the value of matching density, E _b =9.584×10¹⁴ g cm⁻³ at the core-envelope boundary. This value of matching density yields a model-independent upper bound on neutron star masses, M _max≤2.22M _⊙, and the strong lower bounds on surface redshift z _R ≃0.6232 and mass M≃2.11M _⊙ for the Crab (Q≃0.7) and the strong upper bound on surface redshift z _R ≃0.2016, mass M≃0.982M _⊙ and the moment of inertia I _Vela,45≃0.587 for the Vela (Q≃0.2) pulsar. However, for the observational constraint of the ‘central’ weighted mean value Q≈0.72, and I _Crab,45>1.93, for the Crab pulsar, the minimum surface redshift and mass of the Crab pulsar are slightly increased to the values z _R ≃0.655 and M≃2.149M _⊙ respectively, whereas corresponding to the ‘central’ weighted mean value Q≈0.12 for the Vela pulsar, the maximum surface redshift, mass and the moment of inertia for the Vela pulsar are slightly decreased to the values z _R ≃0.1645, M≃0.828M _⊙ and I _Vela,45≃0.459 respectively. These results set an upper and lower bound on the energy of a gravitationally redshifted electron-positron annihilation line in the range of about 0.309–0.315 MeV from the Crab and in the range of about 0.425–0.439 MeV from the Vela pulsar.