Chapter
White Dwarfs and Supernovae
2:10:18 - 2:18:17 (07:58)
White dwarfs can explode if paired with a normal star and exceeding roughly one and a half times the mass of our sun, and measuring the apparent brightness of supernovae can aid in judging the distance of the galaxy in which they’re located and ejection of synthesized heavy elements benefits the creation of new stars, planets, and ultimately life.
Clips
Supernovas play a critical role in calibrating the universe by allowing scientists to measure their true intrinsic power or luminosity to determine their distance and that of the galaxy they're located in.
2:10:18 - 2:13:32 (03:13)
Summary
Supernovas play a critical role in calibrating the universe by allowing scientists to measure their true intrinsic power or luminosity to determine their distance and that of the galaxy they're located in. This work was important in the discovery of the accelerating universe and in the synthesis of heavy elements essential for life.
ChapterWhite Dwarfs and Supernovae
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
When our sun dies, it will become a white dwarf with half its present mass compressed into the size of Earth, made of degenerate matter, which is incredibly dense.
2:13:32 - 2:15:04 (01:32)
Summary
When our sun dies, it will become a white dwarf with half its present mass compressed into the size of Earth, made of degenerate matter, which is incredibly dense. Though it will not explode, if the white dwarf is paired with another star it can steal material from the star until becoming unstable, resulting in a supernova known as the Chandrasekhar limit.
ChapterWhite Dwarfs and Supernovae
Episode#137 – Alex Filippenko: Supernovae, Dark Energy, Aliens & the Expanding Universe
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
White dwarfs can undergo nuclear fusion, releasing energy that speeds up more nuclei.
2:15:04 - 2:18:17 (03:13)
Summary
White dwarfs can undergo nuclear fusion, releasing energy that speeds up more nuclei. The rate of fusion reactions may depend on the age of the white dwarf and the amount of trace heavier elements present.