Binary White Dwarf Merger (VIDEO)

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

Caption

The binary star system J0923+3028 consists of two white dwarfs that are gradually spiraling in toward each other. In about 100 million years they will merge. Since their combined mass is too low to result in a supernova (i.e. less than the Chandrasekhar limit), a single, more massive white dwarf will be left after the merger. Nuclear fusion of a shell of material on the surface will result in a flash of light like a supernova but fainter.

Credit

Clayton Ellis (CfA)

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