3 ms·
> The two are so close that matter being ejected by the red giant collects near the surface of the white dwarf. > Once the mass roughly of Earth has built up o
by simmerup 3y ago
> The two are so close that matter being ejected by the red giant collects near the surface of the white dwarf.
> Once the mass roughly of Earth has built up on the white dwarf—which takes around 80 years—it heats up enough to kickstart a runaway thermonuclear reaction, Starrfield said.
Wild.
- tekla 3y agoWell they travel at light speed, so maybe like a minute or two of warning.
- EForEndeavour 3y agoDid you mean to reply to https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39974952 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39974952 ?
- ryandvm 3y agoNeutrinos actually travel at slower than light speed (just barely) but since they make it through the star unimpeded, they get out well before the visible light from the explosion (talking about a regular supernova here).