Probing explosion geometry of core-collapse supernovae with light curves of the shock breakout

Abstract

We consider supernova shock breakout in aspherical core-collapse supernovae. We perform hydrodynamical calculations to investigate the propagation of a strong shock wave in a compact star and the subsequent emergence from the surface. Using the results combined with a simple emission model based on blackbody radiation, we clarify how aspherical energy depositions affect shock breakout light curves. © 2012 International Astronomical Union.