Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site utastro.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!ut-sally!utastro!ethan
From: ethan@utastro.UUCP (Ethan Vishniac)
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: Re: Novas -- cause?
Message-ID: <26@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 7-Oct-85 20:41:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: utastro.26
Posted: Mon Oct  7 20:41:36 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 10-Oct-85 05:51:40 EDT
References: <1950@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Distribution: net
Organization: U. Texas, Astronomy, Austin, TX
Lines: 20

> 
> What is the current astronomical thought regarding the cause(s) of a
> star going nova? (NOT supernova, just nova.)
> 
> Will Martin

Since I'm a cosmologist, I'd probably be on firmer ground answering any
other question you might have, but what the hell.

Current thought on novae is that they arise from mass transfer in
binary systems.  Best guess is that one object is degenerate and
accretes gas from its companion, which it periodically blows off
with a bang by igniting the hydrogen.

-- 
"Superior firepower is an      Ethan Vishniac
 important asset when          {charm,ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}!utastro!ethan
 entering into                 ethan@astro.UTEXAS.EDU
    negotiations"              Department of Astronomy
                               University of Texas