Do first-principles 3D models reproduce observed supernova energies?
In plain words
Typical supernovae release about $1e51\,\mathrm{erg}$ as motion of the ejected gas; models must show that neutrino heating supplies this much.
Precise statement
In $3\mathrm{D}$ neutrino-radiation hydrodynamics with general relativity and energy-dependent neutrino transport, determine whether the delayed neutrino-heating mechanism reaches asymptotic explosion energies $\sim 1e51\,\mathrm{erg}$ and Ni-56 masses $\sim 0.01\ \text{to}\ 0.1\,M_{\mathrm{sun}}$ (median $\sim 0.03\,M_{\mathrm{sun}}$) for progenitors of $9\ \text{to}\ 25\,M_{\mathrm{sun}}$, as observed in Type II-P supernovae. Answer: converged energies and Ni-56 masses versus progenitor, with dependence on resolution and transport method quantified.
What would settle it
Long-duration (more than 5 s after bounce) 3D simulations by independent codes agreeing on energies within about 20 percent and matching observed distributions.
Status in the literature
Unverified note
2024: $3\mathrm{D}$ simulations followed for several seconds reach energies approaching $1e51\ \mathrm{erg}$ for some progenitors; code-to-code agreement is not established.