These phenomena can be classified as L or P, the latter signifying a plateau in their decay rate due to the opacity of the ionized outer layer.
These phenomena can be classified as L or P, the latter signifying a plateau in their decay rate due to the opacity of the ionized outer layer. Radioactive nickel and cobalt in their remnants are suggested by decay rates of 55 and 78 days in their light-curves; both are formed by neutron capture in the r-process. A strong silicon line in their spectra characterizes their Ia ("one a") type, which can be used as standard candles. They result when certain degenerate stars accumulate mass beyond the Chandrasekhar limit. One observed in 1987 in the Large Magellanic Cloud was caused by sudden stellar core-collapse followed by a shockwave. For 10 points, name these cataclysmic stellar events.
These phenomena can be classified as L or P, the latter signifying a plateau in their decay rate due to the opacity of the ionized outer layer.
supernova [do not accept or prompt on "nova"] 