HOW DO STARS EXPLODE?

Stunning supernova explosions can come from very different stellar systems

1 Matter transfer

Two stars can orbit close enough to each other that matter will transfer from the companion onto a white dwarf star in a process called accretion.

2 Finding the right stars

These occur when a white dwarf, like the one our Sun will leave behind after its death, is found in a binary pair with another star.

3 Squeezing down

This accretion of matter adds extra mass. The additional gravitational forces compress the already highly pressurised core of the white dwarf.

4 A star reborn

As the star approaches the Chandrasekhar limit, the dying star comes to life again and undergoes fusion in its centre.

5 Limited gains

White dwarfs can only get so massive through accretion. The Chandrasekhar limit puts their maximum size at about 1.4 times the mass of our Sun.

6 Outward pressure

This time the star cannot expand to accommodate the outward pressure of its newly kindled fusion burning. Instead expansive forces build, creating a violent supernova.