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I don't think there's any new (fundamental) physics involved, it's quite possible that the models used to predict the output were simplified. After all, turbulent maghetohydrodynamics is harder than General Relativity. From Sandia:
Haines theorized that the rapid conversion of magnetic energy to a very high ion plasma temperature was achieved by unexpected instabilities at the point of ordinary stagnation: that is, the point at which ions and electrons should have been unable to travel further. The plasma should have collapsed, its internal energy radiated away. But for approximately 10 nanoseconds, some unknown energy was still pushing back against the magnetic field.

Haines' explanation theorizes that Z's magnetic energies create microturbulences that increase the kinetic energies of ions caught in the field's grip. Already hot, the extra jolt of kinetic energy then produces increased heat, as ions and their accompanying electrons release energy through friction-like viscous mixing even after they should have been exhausted.

High temperatures previously had been assumed to be produced entirely by the kinetic flight and intersection of ions and electrons, unaided by accompanying microturbulent fields.

I would guess there was some sort of symmetry assumption built into the theoretical (numerical) calculations.

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Mar 11th, 2006 at 03:16:34 PM EST
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After all, turbulent maghetohydrodynamics is harder than General Relativity.

Yeah... and if you have to combine the two...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Sat Mar 11th, 2006 at 03:57:56 PM EST
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I suspect the fastest way to calculate a supernova explosion is to let it happen ;-)

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Mar 11th, 2006 at 04:12:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Ah, supernova explosions are tame: I was thinking of gamma-ray bursts and quasars...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Sat Mar 11th, 2006 at 04:28:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Do we even know what causes those?

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Mar 11th, 2006 at 04:34:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Gamma-ray bursts? When I looked at the issue the last time, super-heavy stars collapsing into a black hole (which is a non-isotropic collapse) looked like themost promising model - but things change so fast in this field that I am probably behind the news.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Sat Mar 11th, 2006 at 04:42:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
A critical mass of railway diaries was the last theory I read...
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Sat Mar 11th, 2006 at 04:42:27 PM EST
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