Comparisons of Two- and Three-Dimensional Convection in Type I X-ray Bursts

Abstract

We perform the first detailed three-dimensional simulation of low Mach number convection preceding thermonuclear ignition in a mixed H/He X-ray burst. Our simulations include a moderate-sized, approximate network that captures hydrogen and helium burning up through rp-process breakout. We look in detail at the difference between two- and three-dimensional convective fields, including the details of the turbulent convection.

revised version in response to referee, accepted to ApJ. Bigger simulations + new appendices animation available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgGQXcxEeOE