Supernova progenitors: clues from gamma-ray observations

Supernovae have the subclasses of core-collapse supernovae (Type II, Type Ib/Ic) and thermonuclear explosions (Type Ia). However, the central explosion mechanisms for the different types of supernovae are not well understood. The radioactivity isotopes, i.e., 44Ti and 56Ni, are produced in the central explosion region of supernovae. Detection of the gamma-rays emitted by these isotopes can constrain the mechanism of supernova explosions and the supernova progenitors. I will introduce the recent results of gamma-ray observations: constraining explosion mechanism of core-collapse supernovae by detecting 44Ti in CAS A and SN 1987A; progenitors of Type Ia supernovae probed by 44Ti in Tycho and 56Ni in SN 2014J. Future possible development of gamma-ray detectors is also discussed.

Speaker: 
Wei Wang (NAOC)
Speaker Introduction: 

Education:

  • 1996-2000 Department of Astronomy, Nanjing University, BS
  • 2000-2003 National Astronomical Observatories, Beijing, MS
  • 2004-2007 Max-Plank Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Germany, PhD

 Work experience:

  • 2003-2004 Department of Physics, Hong Kong University, visiting scholar
  • 2007-now National Astronomical Observatories, Beijing, research professor 

Research interest:neutron stars, pulsars, magnetars, X-ray binaries, supernovae, supernova remnants, gamma-ray astronomy, nuclear astrophysics

Place: 
KIAA-PKU Auditorium
Host: 
Zhuo Li
Time: 
Thursday, November 24, 2016 - 4:00pm
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