arXiv subjects

Noam Soker

Publications and source records attributed to Noam Soker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2026

Simulating observed point-symmetric core-collapse supernova morphologies with the jittering jets explosion mechanism

We conduct two three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the jittering-jets explosion mechanism (JJEM) of core-collapse supernova (CCSN), launching three pairs of inclined opposite jets into the core of an enveloped-stripped stellar model, and reproduce some morphological features of observed CCSN remnants (CCSNRs) that a single pair of jets or instabilities alone cannot reproduce. We launch the three pairs of jets within about a second, and follow the ejecta for more than 10 seconds until after shock breakout. Our main findings are: (1) Although the jets are choked deep inside the star, they manage to form a pronounced multipolar (point-symmetric) morphology. (2) Instabilities and vortices resulting from the jet-star interaction form small clumps and narrow filaments, some of which form point-symmetric morphology, resembling some observed CCSNRs. (3) The most energetic jet of one simulation forms a large low-density blowout ahead of the ejecta, with filaments dragging behind it, resembling the blowout of the Cygnus Loop. (4) The inner ejecta presents two symmetry axes along two of the three jet axes: one of a pair of rings and one of a pair of nozzles, resembling the structure of the point-symmetric SNR J0450.4-7050. (5) The three pairs of jets compress two dense blocks between their axes. The blocks exhibit a Doppler-shift bipolar outflow highly inclined to the morphological axes along the jet axes. The inclined Doppler-bipolar outflow and morphology axis resembles the CCSNRe W49B and SNR G292.0+1.8. Our study supports the claim that the JJEM is the primary explosion mechanism of CCSNe.

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arXiv2026

Reproducing morphological features in the supernova remnant G11.2-0.3 by simulating jittering jets

We hydrodynamically simulate a core-collapse supernova (CCSN) explosion by launching three pairs of jets in the framework of the jittering-jets explosion mechanism (JJEM), and reproduce a morphology of two opposite circum-jet rings and a bar of dense gas perpendicular to the rings' axis, resembling these morphological features in the CCSN remnant SNR G11.2-0.3. The first pair of wide jets is very energetic; it triggers the explosion and inflates two bubbles that compress the material in an expanding shell. The bubbles also compress material in a plane perpendicular to the jet axis. The second pair of wide jets removes material from this plane, beside along a bar that is on an axis perpendicular to the two pairs' axes. The jets of the third pair, now of narrow jets, penetrate the expanding shell and compress material to their sides to form two opposite rings. These morphological features are qualitatively similar to those observed in the point-symmetric CCSN remnant G11.2-0.3. As competing theoretical CCSN explosion mechanisms cannot explain point-symmetric CCSN remnants, our study provides some support for the claim that the JJEM is the primary explosion mechanism of CCSNe.

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arXiv2026

Type Ia supernovae interacting with a close circumstellar material (SNe Ia-CSM) are SNe Ia inside planetary nebulae (SNIPs)

I show that a newly estimated fraction of normal type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) that interact within about 100 days of explosion with circumstellar material (CSM), called SNe Ia-CSM, is compatible with a recently estimated fraction of normal SNe Ia that interact with an old planetary nebula, hence, supporting the core-degenerate (CD) scenario for normal SNe Ia. According to the CD scenario, a white dwarf (WD) merges with the core of an asymptotic giant branch star at the end of common envelope evolution (CEE) and forms a massive WD remnant close to the Chandrasekhar mass. The CEE ejects a planetary nebula that the WD remnant ionizes. Most explosions occur within a merger-to-explosion delay (MED) time of less than a million years, before the planetary nebula material disperses to the interstellar medium, leading to a SN Ia inside a planetary nebula (SNIP). I discuss two plausible MED time distributions and show that the newly determined SNe Ia-CSM fraction of all normal SNe Ia, ~0.04%, is compatible with the SNIP fraction of ~80%. Therefore, although the fraction of SNe Ia-CSM is very small, it does not require a rare evolutionary pathway. I argue that SNe Ia-CSM follow the same scenario that accounts for 70%-90% of all normal SNe Ia, namely, the CD scenario.

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arXiv2026

JWST observations of a planetary nebula support jet-driven explosion of core-collapse supernova remnant RCW 103

We show that the morphology of the core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnant RCW 103 is very similar to the morphology of the brightest regions in the recently released JWST IR images of the jet-shaped planetary nebula (PN) PMR 1, and conclude that two energetic pairs of jets shaped RCW 103, compatible with the jittering-jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). The PN PMR 1 IR image exhibits two opposite, large, and prominent ears with a narrow, faint region connecting them through the center, a pipe. Observations and simulations have shown that a pair of jets inflates such a pair of ears in PNe. The brightest regions of PN PMR 1 form two clumpy sectors, each shaped like a wide pizza slice, with a faint region between them; the CCSN remnant RCW 103 has a very similar morphology. We identify two shells in the X-ray image of RCW 103 and suggest that two close pairs of energetic jets shaped this CCSN remnant. We find only traces of two of the four expected ears in RCW 103. The ears in RCW 103 were already dispersed and are very faint. Deeper X-ray observations might detect them. Such energetically misaligned pairs of jets are compatible with the JJEM, which predicts that a few to about 20 pairs of jets are responsible for most CCSN explosions.

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arXiv2026

Jittering jets promote dust formation in core-collapse supernovae

I find that the dust morphologies in some core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnants (CCSNRs) possess jet-shaped morphologies, and propose that the properties of the jets that explode the CCSNe and their interaction with the core and envelope (if it exists) are among the factors that determine the amount of dust formed and its morphology. I find that some of the dust-rich structures in the CCSNRs Cassiopeia A and the Crab Nebula are distributed in point-symmetric morphologies, and that the dust in SN 1987A follows the bipolar morphology of the inner ejecta. Earlier studies attributed these morphologies in CCSNRs to jet shaping within the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). These dust morphologies suggest, within the framework of the JJEM, that exploding jets enhance dust formation in CCSNRs. This study contributes to the diversity of processes in which CCSN exploding jets are involved and to establishing the JJEM as the primary explosion mechanism of CCSNe.

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arXiv2026

The early r-process nucleosynthesis scenarios

I compare seven actively studied r-process nucleosynthesis scenarios against observed properties of r-process elements in the early Universe, and conclude that the most likely scenario to contribute to the site of elements below the third r-process peak is the magnetorotational r-process scenario, and that of the third peak is the common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN) r-process scenario. The collapsar and CEJSN r-process scenario might also contribute to the lighter r-process elements, and the binary neutron star (NS-NS) merger r-process scenario might contribute to the third r-process peak. The magnetar, the wind from the newly born NS, and the accretion-induced collapse of a white dwarf r-process scenarios fall short in explaining observations. They might exist, but cannot be major contributors to the r-process in the early Universe. To constrain r-process scenarios in the early Universe, I require that they explain the large scatter in the r-process abundances of very metal-poor stars, account for the correlation between light r-process nucleosynthesis and iron production, and the lack of correlation between the third peak r-process production and iron production, as inferred from very metal-poor stars. I discuss the diversity of the CEJSN r-process scenario and encourage extending its exploration.

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arXiv2026

Point-symmetric morphology in supernova remnant G11.2-0.3: the jittering jets explosion mechanism

I identify a point-symmetric morphology in the core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnant SNR G11.2-0.3 composed of three pairs of opposite morphological features, and attribute their shaping to three energetic pairs of jets during the explosion process in the frame of the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). The pairs of morphological features are two opposite rings, a strip of dense ejecta extending on both sides of the central pulsar PSR J1811-1925, and an ear-nozzle opposite structure. According to the JJEM, additional weaker pairs of jets may also have participated in the explosion. The jets' axis from the ear to the nozzle coincides with the axis of the presently active pulsar jets, which is the pulsar spin axis. The jets of this pair were the last that the newly born neutron star launched during the explosion, and the accretion disk that launched these jets spun up the neutron star in the same direction as the jets. The identification of a point-symmetric morphology in SNR G11.2-0.3 strengthens the claim that the JJEM is the primary explosion mechanism of CCSNe.

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arXiv2026

The precessing jet axis of the supernova remnant 3C 397

We identify an S-shaped morphological feature in the enigmatic supernova remnant (SNR) 3C 397, which we attribute to the shaping by a precessing pair of jets during the explosion. We identify an S-shaped, faint region composed of two bubbles, located to the north and south of the center, between two X-ray-bright sides. We attribute the S-shape to a pair of precessing jets that were part of the explosion process. The identification of a main jet axis in SNR 3C 397 increases its similarity to the enigmatic SNR W49B. We discuss two possible scenarios for SNR 3C 397 and W49B. (1) The thermonuclear common-envelope-jet supernova scenario, which was suggested before for W49B, where a neutron star destroys a white dwarf and accretes part of the white dwarf's material via an accretion disk that undergoes a thermonuclear outburst and launches the jets. (2) The collapse-induced thermonuclear jet-driven explosion, which is a core-collapse supernova driven by jets, as in the majority of, or even all, core-collapse supernovae, and in addition, there is a thermonuclear outburst of a rare helium-oxygen mixed layer in the core, which is triggered by the core collapse. Our study emphasizes the primary role of jets even in the enigmatic SNR 3C 397.

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arXiv2026

High mass accretion rates onto evolved stripped-envelope massive stars by jet-induced mass removal

Simulating one-dimensional stellar evolution models with MESA, we show that removing the outer inflated envelope of a mass-accreting evolved stripped-envelope star, like a Wolf-Rayet (WR) star, substantially moderates the stellar expansion during accretion at high-mass accretion rates. We study the accretion onto a star via an accretion disk, which launches jets that remove the high-entropy outer layers of the inflated envelope. This is the `jetted mass removal accretion scenario.' By manually removing the entire hydrogen-rich envelope from a red supergiant, we build a hydrogen-deficient WR stellar model with a mass of 6.03Mo and a radius of 0.67Ro. We then accrete mass onto it at a high rate. We mimic the real process of simultaneous mass addition near the equatorial plane and jet-induced mass removal from the outer envelope by dividing the accretion period into hundreds of pulses: in the first half of each pulse, we add mass, and in the second, we remove a fraction of this mass. The removal of tens of percent from the added mass decreases the stellar expansion by a factor of ~2-5. Our results show that WR stars can maintain a deep potential well and not expand much while accreting mass at high rates. This allows the formation of an accretion disk and the liberation of large amounts of gravitational energy. Our results strengthen models of intermediate-luminosity optical transients, such as luminous red novae, in which a non-degenerate star accretes at high rates and launches jets that power the transient event.

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arXiv2026

The supernova remnant J0450.4-7050 possesses a jets-shaped point-symmetric morphology

By examining recently published images in different wavelengths, I identify a point-symmetric morphology in the Large Magellanic Cloud core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnant (CCSNR) J0450.4-7050 (SNR 0450-70.9; nicknamed Veliki), which I attribute to at least three pairs of energetic jets that participated in the explosion of the progenitor in the framework of the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). Two pairs of ears, a pair of blowouts in the north and south along the long axis of this SNR, and a pair of dents compose the point symmetric morphology. The fact that the symmetry axes of two pairs include pairs of opposite structural features in the inner ejecta implies that the shaping is by jets and not due to an interaction with an ambient material. While the JJEM predicts such morphologies, the competing neutrino-driven mechanism cannot account for point-symmetric morphologies. This study provides strong support for the claim that the JJEM is the primary CCSN explosion mechanism.

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arXiv2026

Circumbinary disks in post common envelope binary systems with compact objects

We conduct a population synthesis study using the binary population synthesis code compas to explore the formation of circumbinary disks (CBDs) following the common envelope evolution (CEE) phase of a giant star and a neutron star (NS) or black hole (BH). We focus on massive binary systems that evolve into double compact object (DCO) binaries after the exposed core of the giant collapses to form a second NS or BH. A CBD around the binary system of the giant's core and the compact object alters the orbital evolution of the binary. We parameterize the conditions for CBD formation in post-CEE binaries and present characteristics of DCO progenitors that are likely or unlikely to form CBDs. We find that CBD formation is most common in BH-BH binaries and NS-NS binaries that are expected to merge within Hubble time. Furthermore, we find that the interaction of the CBD with the core - NS/BH system at the termination of the CEE reduces the expected rate of DCO mergers, regardless of whether these binaries tighten or expand due to this interaction. If the binary system loses angular momentum to the CBD, it may produce a luminous transient due to a merger between the NS/BH and the core of the giant rather than gravitational wave sources. Thus, accounting for post-CEE CBD formation and its interaction with the binary system in population synthesis studies is significant for obtaining reliable predictions of the gravitational wave event rates expected by current detectors.

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arXiv2025

The explosion jets of the core-collapse supernova remnant Circinus X-1

We propose that the recently analyzed opposite rings in the Circinus X-1 (Cir X-1) core collapse supernova (CCSN) remnant resulted from a pair of opposite jets at the final phases of the jet-driven explosion process of the progenitor of Cir X-1. We point out the similarity of the rings in the Cir X-1 CCSN remnant to a ring in the Cygnus Loop CCSN remnant. While the X-ray binary system Cir X-1 actively launches jets, no such activity exists in the Cygnus Loop. In both CCSN remnants, we attribute the rings to jets associated with the explosion process, within the framework of the jittering-jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). We also identify such a ring in the CCSN remnant 107.7-5.1, which we also attribute to exploding jets. We conduct three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of late jets inside an exploding massive stellar core, and demonstrate the feasibility of this scenario for ring formation. The Cir X-1 CCSN remnant has a large blowout, similar to that of the Cygnus Loop and to a large protrusion in the CCSN remnant G0.9+0.1. Based on these similarities, we suggest that other exploding jets inflated the blowout of the Cir X-1 nebula, consistent with an earlier claim regarding the formation of the blowout of the Cygnus Loop. We identify a point-symmetric structure in the Cir X-1 CCSN remnant, strengthening the JJEM. This study further demonstrates that the JJEM is a successful explosion mechanism to analyze CCSNe and CCSN remnants.

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arXiv2025

Double shell structure in supernova 2024ggi

We built a simple toy model of a core-collapse supernova (CCSN) ejecta composed of two shells, an outer low-mass spherical shell and an inner elongated massive shell, and show that it can reproduce the evolution of the photospheric radius of SN 2024ggi, Rph(t). During the first week, the larger spherical shell, the S-shell, forms the photosphere. As the shell expands and becomes increasingly transparent, the photosphere moves inward along the mass coordinate, although it grows in size. When the photosphere reaches the long axis of the elongated inner shell, the E-shell begins to contribute to the photosphere, ultimately comprising the entire photosphere. The simple toy model explains the transition of Rph(t) from being concave (decreasing slope) to convex (increasing slope). A single-shell model predicts only concave behavior. The structure of a spherical shell with an inner elongated shell is motivated by the morphologies of several CCSN remnants whose structures have been attributed to multiple pairs of jets in the framework of the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). The deduced multiple-shell ejecta of SN 2024ggi in this study, and of SN 2023ixf in an earlier study, as well as studies of the polarization of SN 2024ggi, are better compatible with the JJEM than with the neutrino-driven mechanism. Our study supports the growing evidence that the JJEM is the primary explosion mechanism of CCSNe.

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arXiv2025

Multiple shells in supernova 2023ixf support the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM)

Examining the photospheric time evolution of the core-collapse supernova (CCSN) SN 2023ixf from the literature, we identify two (possibly three) evolutionary time periods with constant expansion velocities, which we attribute to two (or three) ejecta shells. We find that several CCSN remnants have morphologies with two or more complete or partial shells, compatible with the presence of two (or three) photospheric shells during the photospheric phase of the explosion. Studies have attributed these CCSN remnants to the jittering-jet explosion mechanism (JJEM), which involves two or three energetic pairs of jets participating in the explosion. We, therefore, conclude that the structure of the photospheric shells of SN 2023ixf supports its explosion by the JJEM. This study adds to the accumulating evidence that the JJEM is the primary explosion mechanism of CCSNe.

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arXiv2025

Attributing the point symmetric structure of core-collapse supernova remnant N132D to the jittering jets explosion mechanism

I identified a point-symmetric morphology in the core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnant (CCSNR) N132D, composed of two symmetry axes: the short symmetry axis extending from the northwest ear and through the center of the iron-rich emission on the other side, and the second along the long dimension of N132D and coincides with the extension of the central oxygen-rich gas to the northeast. Namely, the point-symmetry of the outer zones of CCSNR N132D correlates with that of the oxygen-rich gas near the center. The surrounding gas cannot shape the inner oxygen-rich material, implying that the point-symmetric morphology is a property of the explosion mechanism, as predicted by the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). The oxygen-rich material is known to be in a torus. According to the JJEM, an energetic pair of opposite jets, more or less perpendicular to the plane of the torus, has shaped the torus; this pair is along the short symmetry axis. Another energetic pair, perpendicular to the first one, shaped the elongated, large-scale structure of CCSNR N132D. I discuss how the JJEM accounts for two perpendicular pairs of jets and the unequal jets in each pair. CCSNR N132D is the fifteenth CCSNR with an identified point-symmetric morphology attributed to the JJEM. Because the neutrino-driven mechanism cannot explain such morphologies, this study further strengthens the claim that the JJEM is the primary explosion mechanism of CCSNe.

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arXiv2025

Attributing the supernova remnant RCW 89 to the jittering jets explosion mechanism

I examine recent radio observations of the supernova remnant (SNR) RCW 89 and identify a point-symmetric morphology composed of two main symmetry axes. I attribute this morphology to a jet-driven explosion in the framework of the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). To reach this conclusion, I argue that the MSH 15-52 nebula associated with the pulsar PSR B1509-58, the X-ray hand-like-shaped nebula, and RCW 89 are two separate core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnants that interact with each other. Namely, the nebula SNR G320.4-1.2 contains two CCSN remnants. In essence, I utilize the recent successes of the JJEM to account for the morphologies of point-symmetric CCSN remnants, thereby explaining the morphology of RCW 89 and identifying it as a separate CCSN remnant. I suggest a process by which somewhat more energetic pairs of jets in the JJEM have a positive feedback on the accreted gas onto the newly born neutron star, thereby prolonging the life of the jets and explaining the occurrence of two or three energetic pairs of jets in some CCSNe. This study adds RCW 89 to the growing list of point-symmetric CCSN remnants. The JJEM naturally explains these morphologies as shaped by misaligned pairs of jets that exploded these CCSNe.

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arXiv2025

Tycho supernova exploded inside a planetary nebula (SNIP)

I examine recent observations of the type Ia supernova remnant (SNR Ia) Tycho and conclude that Tycho is an SN Ia inside a planetary nebula (SNIP), strengthening such a previous suggestion from 1985. The observations reveal two opposite protrusions, termed ears, projected on the main shell of Tycho. The pair of ear structures resembles that of the SNRs Ia Kepler, SNR G299-2.9, and SNR G1.9+0.3, which earlier studies considered as SNIPs. The requirement that the explosion occurs within hundreds of thousands of years after the formation of the planetary nebula (by the second star to evolve) makes the core-degenerate scenario the most likely for Tycho. Several other possible scenarios lead to an SNIP, but they are unlikely for Tycho. The identification of Tycho as an SNIP leads to two general conclusions. (1) The fraction of SNIPs among normal SNe Ia is very large, ~70-90%. Namely, the vast majority of normal SNe Ia are SNIPs. (2) To accommodate the large fraction of SNIPs, the delay time distribution of normal SNe Ia includes not only the stellar evolution timescale (as usually assumed), but also includes pockets of younger stellar populations in galaxies without ongoing star formation; the SNIPs come from the younger stellar populations in galaxies.

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arXiv2025

Jet-Driven Formation of Bipolar Rings in Planetary Nebulae: Numerical Simulations Inspired by NGC 1514

We conduct three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of jets launched into a dense shell, reproducing two rings in a bipolar structure that resemble the two dusty rings of the planetary nebula (PN) NGC 1514. The scenario we simulate assumes that a strong binary interaction enhanced the mass loss rate from the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stellar progenitor of NGC 1514, and shortly thereafter, the main-sequence companion accreted mass from the AGB star, launching a pair of jets. We find that adiabatic flows, where radiative losses are negligible, produce prominent rings, as observed in the infrared in NGC 1514. In contrast, when radiative cooling is significant, the rings are thin and faint. Our results reinforce the prevailing notion that jets play a substantial role in shaping planetary nebulae (PNe). More generally, as the binary companion to the central star of NGC 1514 avoided common envelope evolution, our results suggest that jets play a major role in many binary systems experiencing stable mass transfer at high rates. This conclusion complements the view that jets play a significant role in unstable mass transfer, specifically in common envelope evolution. Studies of strongly interacting binary systems, whether stable or not, should include jets. If jets continue to be active after ring formation, the outcomes are circum-jet rings, as observed in some other PNe and core-collapse supernova remnants.

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