What Are The Differences Between Novae And Supernovae?

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Welcome, my name is Phil, and in this video I explain what the differences are between novae and supernovae.

Type 1a supernovae (white dwarf & red giant binary) occur due to a thermonuclear reaction. This happens once they reach a mass where their temperature approaches the ignition temperature of carbon, which most white dwarf stars are made of. Type 2 supernovae occur when a massive star stops fusion in its cores and collapses.

Novae's are smaller versions of supernovae, with most occurring in similar binary systems with white dwarf stars as those that create Type 1a supernovae. The difference is that smaller explosions occur as the white dwarf star pulls material off its companion star. The hydrogen pulled off the companion star heats up and undergoes fusion while the white dwarf star is still below a critical mass that would normally produce a Type 1a supernova. These systems can undergo recurrent nova until the white dwarf reaches around 1.4 solar masses and produces a Type 1a supernova.

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