The most massive core collapse supernova progenitors

TL;DR

This paper investigates the evolution of very massive stars, focusing on their end-of-life as either pair instability supernovae or core collapse supernovae with large iron cores, to better understand their final stages.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the evolution pathways of the most massive stars leading to different types of supernovae.

Findings

Massive stars can develop iron cores up to about 3 solar masses.

The study clarifies conditions leading to pair instability versus core collapse supernovae.

Results help interpret observations of luminous supernovae like SN 2006gy.

Abstract

The discovery of the extremely luminous supernova SN 2006gy, possibly interpreted as a pair instability supernova, renewed the interest in very massive stars. We explore the evolution of these objects, which end their life as pair instability supernovae or as core collapse supernovae with relatively massive iron cores, up to about $3 M_\odot$.