What specific event leads to a Type Ia supernova explosion used as a standard candle?
Answer
White dwarf stars exceeding the Chandrasekhar limit after accumulating mass from a companion.
Type Ia supernovae are the catastrophic explosions of white dwarf stars that accumulate too much mass from a companion star, pushing them over the Chandrasekhar limit and triggering a runaway fusion reaction.
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How Scientists Measure The Distance To Stars and Galaxies
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