Merger Trigger for Supernova
These illustrations shows the main way that new Chandra results indicate Type Ia supernova are triggered in elliptical galaxies. Two white dwarf stars orbit each other and lose energy via gravitational radiation, eventually resulting in a merger between the two stars. Because the total mass of this merger exceeds the weight limit for a white dwarf, the merged star is unstable and explodes as a Type Ia supernova. Release date February 17, 2010.
Size: 3000px × 4636px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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