Computational Modeling of Astrophysical Explosions With Central Engines
Kiran Eiden, University of California, Berkeley
The Universe is host to a variety of explosive, transient events, many of them associated with the deaths of massive stars. Over the last 60 years, telescope surveys have uncovered subpopulations of astrophysical transients that are difficult to explain with traditional models of stellar explosions. The physical mechanisms behind many of these classes of events remain unknown. One possible explanation is that they harbor a central energy source (central engine) whose presence modifies the dynamics and energetics of the explosion; this energy source would likely take the form of a black hole or extremely magnetic neutron star. We present a two-dimensional numerical study of explosions with central engines, where we investigate the impact of the central object on the dynamics and observational signatures of the events. We also discuss plans to build upon this study over the next several years.