Pre-suprenova evolution of rotating massive stars

Abstract

The Geneva evolutionary code has been modified to study the advanced stages (Ne, O, Si burnings) of rotating massive stars. Here we present the results of four 20 solar mass stars at solar metallicity with initial rotational velocities of 0, 100, 200 and 300 km/s in order to show the crucial role of rotation in stellar evolution. As already known, rotation increases mass loss and core masses (Meynet and Maeder 2000). A fast rotating 20 solar mass star has the same central evolution as a non-rotating 26 solar mass star. Rotation also increases strongly net total metal yields. Furthermore, rotation changes the SN type so that more SNIb are predicted (see Meynet and Maeder 2003 and N. Prantzos and S. Boissier 2003). Finally, SN1987A-like supernovae progenitor colour can be explained in a single rotating star scenario.