The Hydrodynamic Origin of Neutron Star Kicks

TL;DR

This study uses detailed supernova simulations to demonstrate that hydrodynamic recoil from asymmetric explosions can produce neutron star velocities matching observed pulsar kicks, suggesting a natural explanation for their high speeds.

Contribution

It provides the first self-consistent simulation evidence that hydrodynamic recoil in core-collapse supernovae can generate neutron star kicks up to 620 km/s.

Findings

Recoil velocities up to 620 km/s observed

PNS velocities still increasing at simulation end

Hydrodynamic recoil can explain high pulsar speeds

Abstract

We present results from a suite of axisymmetric, core-collapse supernova simulations in which hydrodynamic recoil from an asymmetric explosion produces large proto-neutron star (PNS) velocities. We use the adaptive-mesh refinement code CASTRO to self-consistently follow core-collapse, the formation of the PNS and its subsequent acceleration. We obtain recoil velocities of up to 620 km/s at ~1 s after bounce. These velocities are consistent with the observed distribution of pulsar kicks and with PNS velocities obtained in other theoretical calculations. Our PNSs are still accelerating at several hundred km/s at the end of our calculations, suggesting that even the highest velocity pulsars may be explained by hydrodynamic recoil in generic, core-collapse supernovae.