457-type-ia-supernova-mechanism-dixon – Diagram for Scientific American shows second type of supernova. A vertical, multi-stage astrophysical infographic illustrating the sequential mechanics of a Type Ia supernova explosion within a binary star system. The process flows downward against a black space background, detailing the progression from mass transfer to runaway thermonuclear detonation. Top Stage: A massive yellow donor star undergoes Roche lobe overflow, stripping its outer envelope into an accretion disk surrounding a compact, white dwarf companion star. Second Stage: A detailed callout focuses on the white dwarf, showing a cutaway of its internal shell structure as it approaches the Chandrasekhar limit (approximately 1.44 solar masses). A secondary callout zooms in further on the carbon-oxygen core where turbulent, runaway nuclear fusion is triggered.Third Stage: The white dwarf is shown in partial cross-section as a supersonic deflagration/detonation wave rips outward from the core, shattering the star's crystalline electron-degenerate structure amid brilliant rays of energy. Bottom Stage: The sequence culminates in a catastrophic thermonuclear explosion, showing a blinding white-hot central core surrounded by a rapidly expanding, turbulent orange shockwave shell that completely obliterates the white dwarf. Artwork © 2007 Don Dixon / cosmographica.com
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