What would a black dwarf be like?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the characteristics and nature of a black dwarf, specifically focusing on what a white dwarf would be like after it has cooled significantly and ceased to emit visible light. The scope includes conceptual exploration and speculative reasoning about the physical state of such an object.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a cooled white dwarf would be cold and not emit much light, describing it as a dense, spinning ball that could occasionally experience collisions.
  • Another participant humorously notes that a white dwarf at such a temperature would be dark.
  • A different perspective describes the cooled white dwarf as akin to a "giant charcoal briquette," indicating a metaphorical approach to understanding its appearance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the notion that a cooled white dwarf would be dark and not emit visible light, but there are varying descriptions and interpretations of its characteristics.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not delve into the specific physical processes involved in the cooling of white dwarfs or the implications of their eventual state as black dwarfs, leaving some assumptions and details unresolved.

Meatbot
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What would a white dwarf be like after a long enough time that it had cooled to 70 degrees F and emitted no visible light?
 
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I think you've covered it, actually. It would be pretty cold and wouldn't emit much light. It would just be a dense, spinning ball. Occasionally something might crash into it, and get squished to a pulp. Pretty boring to a first approximation.
 
Meatbot said:
What would a white dwarf be like after a long enough time that it had cooled to 70 degrees F and emitted no visible light?
Dark! :biggrin:
 
A giant charcoal briquette is the best description I heard.
 

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