Comprehensive modeling of Type Ia supernova explosions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Friedrich Röpke
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2007 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 48431991

The project aims at gaining a sound theoretical understanding of the explosion phase of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Despite the importance of these astrophysical explosions, their physical mechanism is still enigmatic and a satisfying model is lacking. SNe Ia have been applied as cosmological distance indicators and led to the discovery of the currently accelerated expansion of the Universe. This implies a dominating new “dark” energy form and SNe Ia are again instrumental in constraining its equation of state. These measurements, however, rely on empirical calibration techniques and an improved understanding of SNe Ia is required to increase their reliability. Models are a promising way of answering questions concerning the accuracy, possible systematic errors and evolutionary effects in the distance measurements. With sophisticated three-dimensional numerical simulations several options in building such models will be explored and the results will be compared with observations, such as light curves and spectra. The objective is to contribute to the understanding of SNe Ia by developing a theoretical scenario consistent with prototypical SN Ia explosions and capable of reproducing the observed range of variability among SNe Ia. On the basis of this work, a suit of numerical simulations is to be constructed varying initial parameters of the explosion process. From these, the origin of the diversity of SNe Ia shall be identified and consequences for the calibration of cosmological distance determinations and its far-reaching implications shall be derived.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups