Abstract
The question of local thermonuclear runaways (LTNR) on the surface of white dwarfs is investigated. 1-D equations of energy and of motion are applied, including the accretion process in the continuity equation. The accretion is assumed to be spherically symmetric and to create non spherically symmetric finite gradients in temperature density or composition. We found that the TNR tends to occur locally when the mass and the luminosity of the white dwarf and the accretion rate are high. For certain sets of parameters the size of the LTNR is a significant part of the WD total surface area. The propagation of the TNR may take from few hours to months, producing a slow rise to maximum in novae (unexplained by models so far). Hydrodynamical flows caused by temperature in homogeneities or by rotation can explain the asymmetries observed in nova shells.
on leave from Dept. of Physics, Israel Institute of Technology
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Chevalier, R., Klein, R.I., 1978, Ap. J. 219 994.
Durisen, R.H., 1977, Ap. J. 213, 145.
Gallagher, J.S., Anderson, C.M., 1976, Ap. J., 203, 625.
Fryxell, B.A., Woosley, S.E., 1982, Ap. J., 261, 332.
Hutchings, J.B., 1972, MNRAS, 158, 177.
Kippenhanhn, R., Thomas, H.C., 1978, Astron. Astrophys., 63, 265.
Livio, M., Truran, J.W., 1987, preprint.
Mustel, E.R., Boyarchuck, A.A., 1970, Astrophys. Space Sci., 6, 183.
Rosino, L., Chincarini, G., 1963, Contributi dell’Osservatorio Astrofisico di Padova in Asiago, no. 139.
Shara, M., 1984, Ap. J., 261, 649.
Shara, M., Livio, M., Moffat, F.J. A., Orio, M., 1986, Ap. J., 311, 163.
Weaver, H.F., 1974, Highlights of Astronomy, ed. G. Contopolous, 3, 509, Dordrecht, Reidel.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this paper
Cite this paper
Orio, M., Shaviv, G. (1988). Local Thermonuclear Runaways on White Dwarfs. In: Bianchi, L., Gilmozzi, R. (eds) Mass Outflows from Stars and Galactic Nuclei. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 142. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2941-8_26
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2941-8_26
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7824-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2941-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive