Giant eruptions of very massive stars

TL;DR

Giant eruptions of very massive stars are complex, energetic events involving radiation-driven outflows, representing a significant unsolved problem in stellar astrophysics with limited existing theoretical understanding.

Contribution

The paper highlights key aspects of giant eruptions that are not yet well understood, emphasizing the need for further theoretical investigation.

Findings

Giant eruptions can release energy comparable to supernovae.

They involve continuous radiation-driven outflows, not blast waves.

These events are among the least understood phenomena in stellar astrophysics.

Abstract

Giant eruptions or supernova-impostor events are far more mysterious than true supernovae. An extreme example can release as much radiative energy as a SN, ejecting several M_sun of material. These events involve continuous radiation-driven outflows rather than blast waves. They constitute one of the main unsolved problems in stellar astrophysics, but have received surprisingly little theoretical effort. Here I note some aspects that are not yet familiar to most astronomers.