Most type Ia supernovae are attributed to the
\n\t\t\t\tthermonuclear explosion of white dwarfs.\u00a0 A star becomes a
\n\t\t\t\twhite dwarf before it has completely consumed its thermonuclear
\n\t\t\t\tfuel.\u00a0 The amount of thermonuclear energy locked within a white
\n\t\t\t\tdwarf is of order 0.1% of the white dwarf's rest mass energy.
\n\t\t\t\tTheorists have three theories that explain what triggers the
\n\t\t\t\trelease of this energy, with each theory relying on the
\n\t\t\t\twhite dwarf being a member of a binary system.\u00a0 The preferred
\n\t\t\t\ttheory is that the white dwarf grows in mass by pulling gas from
\n\t\t\t\tits companion onto itself until it becomes gravitationally
\n\t\t\t\tunstable; when the white dwarf collapses, its internal pressure
\n\t\t\t\tand temperature rise until thermonuclear reactions cause it
\n\t\t\t\tto explode.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Most type Ia supernovae are attributed to the thermonuclear explosion of white dwarfs.\u00a0 A star becomes a white dwarf before it has completely consumed its thermonuclear fuel.\u00a0 The amount of thermonuclear energy locked within a white dwarf is of order … Continue reading