Research Symposium

23rd annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 6, 2023

Amber Collinsworth she/her Poster Session 1: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm/ Poster #251


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BIO


I'm an undergrad in Statistics with an interest in machine learning, prediction, and Bayesian statistics. My current work involves refining research steps, programing, and analysis.

Numeric Properties in Type Ia SN Flames

Authors: Amber Collinsworth, Tomasz Plewa
Student Major: Statistics
Mentor: Tomasz Plewa
Mentor's Department: Department of Scientific Computing
Mentor's College: College of Arts and Science
Co-Presenters:

Abstract


Type Ia supernovae form at the end of the life cycle of low mass stars. This occurs when they satisfy certain criteria such as their mass during late stages of their evolution. Attempts to model an SN Ia have been made for decades. However, these astronomical events are incredible in size, and have complex physical systems that are challenging to study even for the larges computers. To overcome this limiting roadblock, we are using MESA (Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics), which models a proportion of a stellar mass, rather than an entire star. With it one can predict theoretical properties of stars including the speed of burning fronts, burning rates, and resulting composition. In this project we use MESA's model flame setup and systematically vary the density and composition of stellar fuel to obtain an approximate formula for the laminar flame speed. We will also compare our results with that of previous studies.

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Keywords: Supernovae, MESA Code, Analysis