HOW DO STARS DETONATE?

 Stunning supernova explosions can come from very different stellar systems

1 Finding the right stars These supernovae occur when a white dwarf is found in a binary pair with another star. 2 Matter transfer Two stars orbit close enough to each other that matter will transfer from the companion onto a white dwarf star in a process called accretion. 3 Squeezing down This accretion of matter from its companion adds extra mass. The additional gravitational forces compress the already highly pressurised core of the white dwarf. 4 A star reborn As the star approaches the Chandrasekhar limit, the dying star comes to life again and undergoes fusion in its centre. 5 Limited gains However, white dwarfs can only get so massive through accretion. The Chandrasekhar limit puts their maximum size at about 1.4 times the mass of our Sun. 6…

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All About Space Annual (Digital) - 1 Issue, All About Space Annual (2024)

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