Three-dimensional Modeling of Type Ia Supernova Explosions

Abstract

Modeling type Ia supernova (SN Ia) explosions in three dimensions allows to eliminate any undetermined parameters and provides predictive power to simulations. This is necessary to improve the understanding of the explosion mechanism and to settle the question of the applicability of SNe Ia in cosmological distance measurements. Since the models contain no tunable parameters, it is also possible to directly assess their validity on the basis of a comparison with observations. Here, we describe the modeling of SNe Ia as thermonuclear explosions in which the flame after ignition near the center of the progenitor white dwarf star propagates outward in the sub-sonic deflagration mode accelerated by the interaction with turbulence. We explore the capabilities of this model by comparison with observations and show in a preliminary approach, how such a model can be applied to study the origin of the diversity of SNe Ia.