What is the stellar fate of the white dwarf star following a nova event?
Answer
The white dwarf survives the event, ready to repeat the process later
A critical distinction exists between a nova and a supernova regarding the fate of the central white dwarf star. In the case of a nova, the event is triggered when the white dwarf in a binary system accretes enough hydrogen from its companion to cause a thermonuclear explosion confined to its surface layers. Because only the surface material ignites and is ejected, the white dwarf remnant itself remains intact and capable of accumulating further material, allowing the process to potentially recur in the future. This contrasts sharply with a supernova, which is a terminal event for the star.
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