Birth of a Supernova Type 1a
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Now being fed by its companion star, the white dwarf pulls more and more
stellar material into itself. When the mass of the white dwarf reaches 1.4
solar masses (40% more mass than that of our sun), a runaway nuclear chain
reaction causes the entire white dwarf to explode. Because Type Ia supernovae
always explode at 1.4 solar masses, they all have more or less the same
characteristics, including how brightly they shine.
