A New Supernova Theory

    Proposal of a new Supernova Theory
      John P. Boatwright 9/18/97

(Update since original proposal)

The currently accepted supernova theory has several perceived
major flaws:

* Requires an instant total collapse of the core
  as the "last atoms" convert to iron, yet
  ignores the estimated 1 million year time constant
  of the star for heat energy to be removed.
* Provides no future explosion events
* Allows no fusion of elements past iron, but expects
  all fusion to occur in an impact rebound. Such
  a rebound in and of itself is suspect since it
  requires the outer matter to exceed the height
  of the original matter. And fusion is an extreme
  energy consuming process. That expected fusion 
  would absorb most all that rebound energy. 
* Provides no method of generating the super heated 
  ring formations after the explosion event
* Provides no method of generating the hourglass
  ejected matter formations.


    Description of a new Supernova Model

Below is a diagram of the proposed new supernova theory and 
the Supernova 1987A image from Hubble. 

Proposed New Supernova Theory

A proposed new supernova theory tends to actually predict 
such formations and provides possible clues that the 
current stellar models are wrong (note that neutrino counts 
for our sun are low and in error by a factor of four for
the present star model).

The new supernova model assumes that a supernova star will 
continue to fuse elements beyond iron and such fusion is a 
COOLING and ENERGY STORAGE process. That stored energy
can then later be released in a FISSION chain reaction
and/or explosion. 

Obviously the heavier than iron elements will build
fastest where the most heat and pressure is. X-ray 
images of our sun reveal a thermal profile that shows 
cooler poles and a warmer equatorial area. Also the 
rotation of the sun (about once a month) provides another 
indicator that any heavier elements will tend to migrate 
towards the equatorial line centered between the poles 
at and under the outer surface of the star. This
assumes a low density core due to the extreme heat
in the pre-supernova star.

Recent NASA doppler shift images show that our sun has 
subsurface flows of plasma following the equatorial 
direction. Other stars would more than likely include 
such a subsurface plasma flow characteristic.

The assumption is that heavier than iron elements build 
up in a supernova star at the equator and evenly disperse
due to said subsurface plasma flows. When the proper 
density of heavier than iron elements able to incur
a FISSION chain reaction is reached, that FISSION chain 
reaction will occur that effects only those fissionable 
elements and the immediate area in which they reside.  

In essence, a ring type explosion would occur and that 
ring would eject from the supernova star. Such a ring 
would expand in size (retaining the ring formation). 

The ring would further be exploding in two ways, as a 
ring with an inner radially expanding component, and
with a complex body radius expansion due to the initial
explosion ejection velocity and the change in velocity
due to gravity.

The gravity of the supernova star would attempt to pull
the ejected ring back in towards the star, so it's expected 
that the ring would eject out and possibly later collapse
back into the star. 

Further the surface matter near the soon to eject
ring would be shot outwards from the explosion at
an angle dependent on the initial depth of the exploding
ring and the surface matter that intersects the
explosion (ring) source. That surface matter would
follow the typical path for an object that would
likewise be returning to the surface (an incoming
asteroid or meteor). 

Since the fission explosion ring surrounds the
star at the star's equator, two such surface matter 
ejections would be seen one on each side (north and
south) of the equator. The trajectory of the surface 
matter ejected would trace out an hourglass shape 
since the star gravity would be curving the ejected 
surface matter's course. The ejected matter again 
follows an initial trajectory somewhere between 
tangent to the star surface, and perpendicular to 
the poles (approximately 45 degrees).

The ejected surface matter would be relatively cool
compared to the ejected ring which had incurred
the fission explosion.


Below is a repeat of the above diagram with description
of the relevant items:

Proposed New Supernova Theory

Note the bright yellow ring surrounding the star
and the two outer rings with hard to make out
hourglass formations. Note the inner star's continued 
fusion AFTER the explosion event. 

Note that the outer rings have finite extent and are
equally aligned with the star's poles. Possibly they are 
from a previous supernova of that very same star.


    Further images from Hubble showing similar forms

Below is a Hubble image showing a similar hourglass formation
but the expanding FISSIONED matter ring is "missing". It's 
assumed that the ring has either crashed back into the star 
or has been cooled to where it isn't visible, or that the 
ring has expanded beyond the visible field. Again, note
the inner star's continued fusion AFTER the explosion event.

It's quite possible that the inner star in the hourglass
nebula will explode again (note the intensity of the
center core).

Hourglass Nebula

Below, another Hubble image shows a similar hourglass 
formation but note here that the hourglass ends are being 
turned inwards. The gravity of the star is apparently 
overriding the expansion velocity of the ejected surface 
matter and that matter is returning to the star. Again, the
exploded FISSION matter ring is "missing" from view. And
again note the inner star's continued fusion AFTER the 
explosion event.

Eta Carinae

In summary, a proposed new theory of supernova processes
was briefly described. Much is left out, such as which
elemental atom or atoms would be of the type to trip in 
a fission explosion. My personal guess is that 4 iron atoms 
are fusing giving U238, then Neptunium, then Plutonium 239
which readily FISSIONS. The resultant neutrons released
in the fission explosion decay in their travels outwards
and decay to protons, electrons and neutrinos.

The explosion of Supernova 1987A was detected on earth
by a prior detection of those neutrinos over a 13 second
period. Hence it's expected that the fission explosion
required about that same time to travel the extent of
the Supernova 1987A star's surface.

If this theory is correct, then there is good indication
that the current stellar models are wrong. Evidence that
the neutrino counts are off by a factor of four (too low),
for our sun, show that this may indeed be the case.

Disclaimer: 

This is purely a proposal and as of this writing
has no general acceptance in the scientific community.
Images are from NASA, the Hubble Space Telescope and 
STSCI web site. No commercial usage of said images 
may be had without permission from NASA and or STSCI. 

The above diagram and said theory are based on my own 
opinions of the Supernova event and are not held by 
science in general, NASA or STSCI. The images were 
included as a quick reference to the actual stellar 
objects being discussed so that easy conveyance of
the subject matter could be had.

See the STSCI web site for the generally accepted
theory, improved resolution images, and the currently
accepted descriptions of the above mentioned 
stellar bodies. Site is at:

http://www.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Pictures.html