Supernova or black hole: Neutrino 'flavor' may determine the fate of dying stars

A new study from the University of Copenhagen suggests that neutrino flavor conversion may determine the fate of dying massive stars. The research involved 195 simulations of stars with masses between nine and 120 times the mass of the Sun, comparing models with and without neutrino flavor conversion. The results show that neutrino flavor changes can significantly alter the outcome of star collapse, particularly for stars with masses between 16 and 30 solar masses. The study indicates that neutrino flavor conversion is a critical factor in determining whether a star will explode as a supernova or collapse into a black hole.

The study's findings are based on a simplified model that incorporates neutrino flavor conversion into supernova simulations. The researchers found that the behavior of neutrinos can significantly alter the outcome of star collapse, especially for certain mass ranges. This suggests that neutrino flavor conversion is not merely a theoretical concept but has real implications for understanding the life cycles of massive stars.

The implications of the study are significant for astrophysics and cosmology. It provides new insights into the mechanisms that determine whether a star will explode or collapse, and how these mechanisms might affect the overall rate of supernova events in the universe. The study also highlights the importance of considering neutrino flavor conversion in models that predict the fate of massive stars, which could improve our ability to interpret observational data and understand the formation of elements in the universe.

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