Physics of Supernovae: theory, observations, unresolved problems

TL;DR

This paper reviews supernova observational classifications, discusses modeling challenges for thermonuclear and core-collapse supernovae, and examines neutrino flux predictions and lessons from SN1987A.

Contribution

It provides an overview of supernova properties, highlights modeling difficulties, and analyzes neutrino flux expectations and insights from a historic supernova event.

Findings

Modeling thermonuclear flame propagation remains challenging.

Understanding envelope detachment from collapsing cores is complex.

SN1987A provided critical neutrino flux data for supernova models.

Abstract

The main observational properties and resulting classification of supernovae (SNe) are briefly reviewed. Then we discuss the progress in modeling of two basic types of SNe - the thermonuclear and core-collapse ones, with special emphasis being placed on difficulties relating to a consistent description of thermonuclear flame propagation and the detachment of supernova envelope from the collapsing core (a nascent neutron star). The properties of the neutrino flux expected from the corecollapse SNe, and the lessons of SN1987A, exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud, are considered as well.