With a temperature near 200,000 K, WD J005311 is the hottest star known. The extreme properties of the central star are being powered by the residual radioactive decay of ⁵⁶Ni, where the usual half-life of 6.0 days from electron capture is increased to many centuries due to the nickel being completely ionized.
Does "completely ionized" mean "stripped of all its 28 electrons"?
Why a super-heavy white dwarf would "completely ionize" its nickel?
How can this prolong ⁵⁶Ni existence?
Does "completely ionized" mean "stripped of all its 28 electrons"? I would guess so.
Why would a super-heavy white dwarf "completely ionize" its nickel? I would guess it's because this super-heavy white dwarf is so hot.
How can this prolong ⁵⁶Ni existence? Because there is so much of it? Chris, what do you think?
Ann
Statistics: Posted by Ann — Wed Apr 03, 2024 6:37 am — Replies 3 — Views 77