Topic: Micronova

This artist’s impression shows a two-star system where micronovae may occur. The blue disc swirling around the bright white dwarf in the centre of the image is made up of material, mostly hydrogen, stolen from its companion star. As the material falls on the hot surface of the star, it triggers a micronova explosion, contained by the magnetic fields at one of the white dwarf’s poles. (ESO/M. Kornmesser, L. Calçada)

The supernova's tiny counterpart

Nicole Karlis