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barry barry
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11 years ago
What do X-ray observations tell us about conditions around a potential nova?
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11 years ago
The mass transfer causes an accretion disk to build up around the white dwarf, and as the material spirals in toward the strong gravity of the collapsed star, it is heated up to millions of degrees, hence becoming observable in X-rays.  In some cases, this disk is so hot that it outshines the white dwarf, even in visible light.  Fluctuations in the transfer create observable short period changes in its light.
Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven?

Eric Clapton
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barry Authorbarry
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11 years ago
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