Gamma-Ray Bursts and Jet-Powered Supernovae

Abstract

The last five years have seen growing challenges to the traditional paradigm of a core collapse supernova powered by the neutrino emission of a young proto-neutron star. Chief among these challenges are gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and the supernovae that seem to accompany them. Here we review some recent - and not so recent - models for GRBs and supernovae in which strong magnetic fields, rotation, or accretion into a black hole play a role. The conditions for these energetic explosions are special and, at this point, there is no compelling reason to invoke them in the general case. That is, 99% of supernovae may still operate in the traditional fashion.

10 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Proc. "From Twilight to Highlight - The Physics of Supernovae" ESO/MPA/MPE Workshop, Garching July 29 - 31