Astronomers have detected a previously unknown type of stellar explosion called a “micronova” involving thermonuclear blasts at the polar regions of a type of burned-out star called a white dwarf after it has siphoned material from a companion star.
The researchers on Wednesday said that a micronova is by far the least powerful type of star explosions now known less energetic than a blast called a nova in which a white dwarf’s entire surface blows up and tiny compared with a supernova that occurs during the death throes of some giant stars.
Micronovae are observed from Earth as bursts of light
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White dwarfs can use their magnetic fields to contain thermonuclear explosions powered by hydrogen attracted from their companion star, a new study finds.