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What is an explosion seen when a white dwarf captures H from a companion star?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
A nova is an explosion seen when a white dwarf star captues H from a companion star.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What is the absolute magnitude of procyon?
2.65. It has a white dwarf companion of about 13
What can cause a white dwarf to reignite?
The most likely way to reignite fusion in a white dwarf is for gas from a close binary companion to be pulled to it by gravity. As the gas collects the white dwarf heats up and may either ignite fusion in the hydrogen or in the carbon of the white dwarf itself.
Is it true that when a nova destroys the star and leave behind a white dwarf?
Not really. A Nova is an explosion around an already existing white dwarf. See related question(s).
What causes a nova explosion?
A nova explosion comes about of a white dwarf star has a neighbouring main sequence or aging star and is taking hydrogen and helium gas from that star. Over time, the gasses around the super dense white dwarf star build up and are compressed under the extreme gravity. Eventually the white dwarf star will ignite and explode in a runaway nuclear fusion reaction. Its different from a Super nova explosion.
Can a white dwarf kill you?
A white dwarf is the remnant of a star like our sun which forms when the stars runs out of elements to fuse. As such it will not kill you directly but if you were on the earth then you would freeze to death because the sun would no longer be producing the amount of heat that it does now.There are however situation where a white dwarf could kill you directly. When a white dwarf is in orbit round a normal star in a binary system, it is possible for the white dwarf to 'steal' gas from its companion. This hydrogen gas can accumulate on the what dwarf's surface and may periodically explode as a 'nova'. If, over time, enough material is stolen to make the white dwarf heavier than 1.4 solar masses (the Chandrasekhar limit), it will then explode as a type 1a 'super nova' which will destroy the white dwarf completely. If you were on a planet orbiting a star near such an explosion, it would kill you.
Is a white dwarf capable of fusing elements?
Not normally. A white dwarf is the remnant of a star in which fusion has stopped. If, however, a white dwarf has a close binary companion star it can accrete gas from that companion. If enough gas collects on the white dwarf it can ignite a complex reaction change between the hydrogen gas and the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen of the surface. Unlike the steady fusion in a main sequence star, the fusion on a white dwarf is a runaway reaction that results in a massive explosion called a nova, which drives away the accreted gas and ends fusion. If the white dwarf is massive enough the accretion of gas can trigger carbon fusion inside the white dwarf, resulting in an even larger explosion called a type Ia supernova, which destroys the white dwarf.
What can a white dwarf do to it's companion star?
Depending on the distance between the binary pair, it is possible for the white dwarf to draw gas from it's companion causing the star to reach the Chandrasekhar limit causing the white dwarf to explode as a nova or a type La supernova.
What is the absolute magnitude of procyon?
2.65. It has a white dwarf companion of about 13
What causes a giant star to turn into a white dwarf?
A giant star would experience a supernova explosion, in order to become a white dwarf.
What can cause a white dwarf to reignite?
The most likely way to reignite fusion in a white dwarf is for gas from a close binary companion to be pulled to it by gravity. As the gas collects the white dwarf heats up and may either ignite fusion in the hydrogen or in the carbon of the white dwarf itself.
What happens when a white dwarf contracts and fusion begins?
When fusion ignites in a white dwarf there is, at first, no increase in volume to separate the fusing nuclei and the result is a runaway nuclear reaction ending in a massive explosion with two possible outcomes. For lower mass white dwarfs, the explosion will drive away the surrounding gasses, producing a nova. If, however, the addition of the gas pushes the white dwarf above 1.38 solar masses, the result will be a much more powerful explosion called a type Ia supernova, which will destroy the white dwarf.
Is it true that when a nova destroys the star and leave behind a white dwarf?
Not really. A Nova is an explosion around an already existing white dwarf. See related question(s).
Is your sun a supernova or a white dwarf?
The sun is neither a supernova nor a white dwarf. The sun is a main sequence star. A supernova is not a kind of star: it is the explosion of a massive star.
What is a large bright explosion on a white dwarf caused by pressure building up?
Type I Supernova
What causes a nova explosion?
A nova explosion comes about of a white dwarf star has a neighbouring main sequence or aging star and is taking hydrogen and helium gas from that star. Over time, the gasses around the super dense white dwarf star build up and are compressed under the extreme gravity. Eventually the white dwarf star will ignite and explode in a runaway nuclear fusion reaction. Its different from a Super nova explosion.
Can a white dwarf kill you?
A white dwarf is the remnant of a star like our sun which forms when the stars runs out of elements to fuse. As such it will not kill you directly but if you were on the earth then you would freeze to death because the sun would no longer be producing the amount of heat that it does now.There are however situation where a white dwarf could kill you directly. When a white dwarf is in orbit round a normal star in a binary system, it is possible for the white dwarf to 'steal' gas from its companion. This hydrogen gas can accumulate on the what dwarf's surface and may periodically explode as a 'nova'. If, over time, enough material is stolen to make the white dwarf heavier than 1.4 solar masses (the Chandrasekhar limit), it will then explode as a type 1a 'super nova' which will destroy the white dwarf completely. If you were on a planet orbiting a star near such an explosion, it would kill you.
Are White Dwarf Stars subject to go all Nova next?
No, only those with a close stellar companion.
