2001/12/07 by P. Hoeflich, Hoeflich, P., A. Khokhlov +5
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/0112168
9 pages + 6 figures (jpeg/separate), Jan van Paradijs Symposium, ed. Ed. van Heuvel et al., Kluver Press, Acknowledment added
arxiv created 2002/01/24 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
We discuss the possible connection between supernova explosions (SN) and gamma-ray bursters (GRB) from the perspective of our current understanding of SN physics. Recent evidence strongly suggests that the explosion mechanism of core collapse SN is intrinsically aspherical. Typically, a neutron star is formed. However, the observed properties of the expanding SN envelopes remnants make these objects very unlikely candidates for GRBs. Most candidates for a GRB/SN connection seem to require the prompt or delayed formation of a black hole. These include the collapse of very massive stars (e.g. hypernovae) and 'classical' SNe with a significant fallback of material over time scales of hours to days, resulting in the collapse of the neutron star to a black hole. We suggest the merger of a neutron star with a white dwarf as a subclass of thermonuclear SNe and a potential candidate for a SN/GRB connection.