NASA NTRS · 19830030405
The Crab Nebula's progenitor
Abstract
The initial mass of the Crab Nebula's progenitor star is estimated by comparing the observed nebular chemical abundances with detailed evolutionary calculations for 2.4- and 2.6-solar-mass helium cores of stars with masses of 8 to 10 solar masses. The results indicate that the mass of the Crab's progenitor was between the upper limit of about 8 solar masses for carbon deflagration and the lower limit of about 9.5 solar masses set by the dredge-up of the helium layer before the development of the helium-burning convective region. A scenario is outlined for the evolution of the progenitor star. It is suggested that the Crab Nebula was probably the product of an electron-capture supernova.
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Nomoto, K., Sugimoto, D., Sparks, W. M., Fesen, R. A., Gull, T. R., Miyaji, S.. 1982-10-28. The Crab Nebula's progenitor. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19830030405
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