Rapidly rotating core-collapse models

A sequence of core collapse models with decreasing rotation rate is considered. These models, which describe the final evolutionary stages of a stars life, were calculated using a three-dimensional post-Newtonian, hydrodynamical, numerical code. Results indicate that rotation does play a larger prior to collapse. If the ratio of rotational to gravitational energy is greater than approximately .002, than the rotational energy can build up to levels which would cause the core to become nonaxisymmetric. An equatorial ring of matter would eventually be shed so as to reduce the overall angular momentum. In effect, this loss of axisymmetry leads to a large flux of gravitational radiation.