Single star progenitors for type Ia supernovae

Christopher A. Tout, Dayal T. Wickramasinghe, John C. Lattanzio

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Type Ia supernovae are identified as exploding degenerate stars. Their luminosity is due to the radioactive decay of about a solar mass of 56Ni through 56Co to 56Fe. Although it is generally accepted that a degenerate carbon/oxygen white dwarf explodes as it accretes material from a binary companion, the progenitors of type Ia supernovae have not been categorically identified. The cores of intermediate mass asymptotic giant branch stars are composed of carbon and oxygen in a degenerate state. We discuss conditions under which carbon can ignite at the centre of such a core and when the ensuing explosion would appear as a type Ia supernova.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUnsolved Problems in Stellar Physics - A Conference in Honour of Douglas Gough
Pages381-388
Number of pages8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2007
EventConference on Unsolved Problems in Stellar Physics - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Duration: 2 Jul 20076 Jul 2007

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume948
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

ConferenceConference on Unsolved Problems in Stellar Physics
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityCambridge
Period2/07/076/07/07

Keywords

  • Stars: AGB and post-AGB
  • Stars: mass-loss
  • Supernovae: general
  • White dwarfs

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