What triggers a Type Ia Supernova in a binary system?
Answer
A white dwarf reaches the Chandrasekhar limit
A Type Ia Supernova occurs in a binary system when a white dwarf accumulates enough matter from its companion star to reach a specific critical mass known as the Chandrasekhar limit. Once the white dwarf hits this threshold, it becomes unstable and undergoes a catastrophic thermonuclear detonation. Because these supernovae explode at a consistent mass, they produce a predictable brightness, which astronomers use as 'standard candles' to measure cosmic distances.
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