What critical limit must a white dwarf reach to trigger a Type Ia supernova explosion?
Answer
The Chandrasekhar limit
A Type Ia supernova originates specifically from a binary star system where a white dwarf star slowly accretes matter from its companion star. This mass transfer process continues until the white dwarf’s total mass reaches a critical threshold known as the Chandrasekhar limit. Once this specific mass is attained, the internal pressure can no longer support the star against its own gravity, leading to uncontrolled fusion reactions throughout the star. This runaway thermonuclear explosion completely obliterates the white dwarf, resulting in a predictable and highly luminous outburst utilized for precise astrophysical measurements.
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