Three-dimensional Supernova Models Provide New Insights into the Origins of Stardust

Abstract

Abstract We present the isotope yields of two post-explosion, three-dimensional 15 core-collapse supernova models, 15S and 15A, and compare them to the carbon, nitrogen, silicon, aluminum, sulfur, calcium, titanium, iron, and nickel isotopic compositions of SiC stardust. We find that these core-collapse supernova models predict similar carbon and nitrogen compositions to SiC X grains and grains with 12C/13C < 20 and 14N/15N < 60, which we will hereafter refer to as SiC ‘D’ grains. Material from the interior of a 15 explosion reaches high enough temperatures shortly after core collapse to produce the large enrichments of 13C and 15N necessary to replicate the compositions of SiC D grains. The innermost ejecta in a core-collapse supernova is operating in the neutrino-driven regime and undergoes fast proton capture after being heated by the supernova shockwave. Both 3D models predict 0.3 Al/27Al < 1.5, comparable to the ratios seen in SiC X, C, and D grains. Models 15S and 15A, in general, predict very large anomalies in calcium isotopes but do compare qualitatively with the SiC X grain measurements that show 44Ca and 43Ca excesses. The titanium isotopic compositions of SiC X grains are well reproduced. The models predict 57Fe excesses and depletions that are observed in SiC X grains, and in addition predict accurately the 60Ni/58Ni, 61Ni/58Ni, and 62Ni/58Ni ratios in SiC X grains, as a result of fast neutron captures initiated by the propagation of the supernova shockwave. Finally, symmetry has a noticeable effect on the production of silicon, sulfur, and iron isotopes in the SN ejecta.