What Causes Symbiotic Novae to Re-Explode?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms that cause symbiotic novae to re-explode, exploring the nature of symbiotic novae and the processes involved in their explosive behavior. The scope includes theoretical explanations and conceptual clarifications regarding the phenomenon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the mechanisms behind the re-explosion of symbiotic novae and seeks clarification on what symbiotic novae are.
  • Another participant explains that white dwarfs can undergo nova explosions by accreting hydrogen from a neighboring star, leading to a thermonuclear runaway explosion due to extreme gravitational compression, with significant energy release and a recurring cycle every few thousand years.
  • A participant requests additional resources for understanding novae beyond Wikipedia.
  • A resource link is provided to a Hubble Space Telescope article and a video from the Max Planck Institute regarding novae.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific mechanisms of re-explosion, and the discussion includes varying levels of detail and understanding about symbiotic novae.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify the specific conditions or assumptions that might influence the behavior of symbiotic novae or the details of the thermonuclear runaway process.

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what mechanism make them to re-explode? what are symbiotic novae ?
 
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White Dwarfs can go nova by accreting hydrogen from a neighbouring star; the gas is compressed by the extreme gravity of the white dwarf causing a thermonuclear runaway explosion on the surface (temperatures up to 20 million k). During a nova explosion, the energy released can equal what the sun emits over 10,000 years. The mass ejected only makes up about 1/10,000th of the white dwarfs mass, which means the star stays intact and can return to its prenova state. The process can be repeated every few thousand years.
 
except wiki where i can find a nice article on nova?
 
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/star/nova/1997/29/text/

The 'cosmic cinema' by the Max Planck Institute also has a short, low res video regarding Nova-
http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/museum/museum/index_e.html
 
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thanks steve!
 

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