Hydrodynamical Neutron Star Kicks in Three Dimensions

Understand

Using three-dimensional (3D) simulations of neutrino-powered supernova explosions we show that the hydrodynamical kick scenario proposed by Scheck et al.

• on the basis of two-dimensional (2D) models can yield large neutron star (NS) recoil velocities also in 3D.
• Although the shock stays relatively spherical, standing accretion-shock and convective instabilities lead to a globally asymmetric mass and energy distribution in the postshock layer.
• An anisotropic momentum distribution of the ejecta is built up only after the explosion sets in.