Channel: Deep Astronomy

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: astronomy discoveriesprofessional astronomywhite dwarfastronomy careerwhite dwarf starsstellar evolution life cycle of starswhite dwarf supernova explosionastronomy observatories

Description: There are enough heavy elements like Uranium in a massive white dwarf star to create and sustain a fission reaction in the core of the star. Such a reaction would proceed uncontrolled - like a fission bomb - and could get hot enough to ignite CO burning and make a type 1a supernova. In essence, whitedwarfs might be a naturally occuring two-stage nuclear weapon where a fission stage sets off a fusion stage. Please join Tony Darnell and Matt Caplan from Illinois State University to discuss his new theory. Read more here: sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/some-dead-stars-may-harbor-enough-uranium-set-thermonuclear-bomb #LiveAstronomy #DeepAstronomy Interested in supporting Deep Astronomy and getting great telescope gear? Use this link to shop at OPT (aff link): bit.ly/2Wq0BO8 Join our Chat on Discord here: discord.gg/nqGpvtK Follow DeepAstronomy on Twitter: @DeepAstronomy Watch Tony's Twitch Tuesdays on Twitch: twitch.tv/DeepAstronomy