The Progenitor Stars of Core-Collapse Supernovae.

Knowledge of the nature and mass of the progenitor stars of core-collapse supernovae are critical elements to test theoretical models of stellar evolution and stellar explosions. Here we describe the current limits and restrictions that can be placed on the progenitor stars of type II SNe and those of Ib/c. There are detections of some type II-P SN progenitors but the exploding stars that produce type Ib/c have eluded discovery. We discuss implications of these quantitative limits and the conclusions that we can now draw. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]