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Progenitor IA supernova.svg
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The progenitor of a Type Ia supernova
Two normal stars
are in a binary pair.
The more massive
star becomes a giant...
...which spills gas onto the
secondary star, causing it to
expand and become engulfed.
The remaining core of
the giant collapses and
becomes a white dwarf.
The common envelope is
ejected, while the separation
between the core and the
secondary star decreases.
The secondary, lighter star
and the core of the giant
star spiral toward within
a common envelope.
...causing the companion
star to be ejected away.
The white dwarf's mass
increases until it reaches a
critical mass and explodes...
The aging companion
star starts swelling, spilling
gas onto the white dwarf.
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