Supernovae: Progenitors and Rates, and Connection with Gamma-Ray Bur

The study of supernovae is very important for cosmology and for galactic chemical evolution studies. In fact, through supernova explosions, the heavy elements produced in stars are returned to the interstellar medium. There are two basic types of supernovae: II and I.  The former (SN IIs) originate from stars which are massive but not overmuch (<20Msun) and are responsible for the production of alpha elements (O, Ne, Mg, Si, Ca), while the latter (SN Is) are divided into SN Ias, Ibs and Ics. SN Ias originate from the white dwarfs in binary systems and are believed to be responsible for the production of Fe in the universe. while SN Ibs and Ics originate from very massive stars (M> 20-30Msun) and are related to gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The study of the rate of explosion of SN Ib and Ic helps to understand the rate of explosion of GRBs and to reconstruct the history of star formation in galaxies.

Head of Research Group
Head: 
Maria Francesca Matteucci

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Last update: 09-11-2024 - 07:45