Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1998-08-27
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
15 pages text + 8 figures, accepted by ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/306701
Neutron stars formed in Type II supernovae are likely to be initially obscured by late-time fallback. Although much of the late-time fallback is quickly accreted via neutrino cooling, some material remains on the neutron star, forming an atmosphere which slowly accretes through photon emission. In this paper, we derive structure equations of the fallback atmosphere and present results of one-dimensional simulations of that fallback. The atmosphere remaining after neutrino cooling becomes unimportant (less than the Compton Eddington limit) is only a fraction of the total mass accreted (10^-8 of the accreted mass or 10^-9 solar masses.) Recombined iron dominates the opacity in the outer regions leading to an opacity 1000-10,000 times higher than that of electron scattering alone. The resultant photon emission of the remnant atmosphere is limited to 1/1000th the Compton Eddington Luminosity. The late-time evolution of this system leads to the formation of a photon-driven wind from the accretion of the inner portion of the atmosphere, leaving, for most cases, a bare neutron star on timescales shorter than a year. The degenerate remnant of 1987a may not be a black hole. Instead, the fallback material may have already accreted or blown off in the accretion-driven wind. If the neutron star has either a low magnetic field or a low rotational spin frequency, we would not expect to see the neutron star remnant of 1987a.
Colgate Sterling A.
Fryer Chris L.
Pinto Philip A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Iron Opacity and the Pulsar of Supernova 1987A does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Iron Opacity and the Pulsar of Supernova 1987A, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Iron Opacity and the Pulsar of Supernova 1987A will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-281355