Stellar explosions
How stars explode, what they leave behind, and where heavy elements form.
5 problemsStars and stellar remnants
Rotation, magnetic fields, cluster chemistry and the remnants of stellar evolution.
Also in Inside planets and stars
Subjects: Stellar physics
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Problems in this collection
10 problemsSolar modelling problem
Measurements of the Sun’s composition and interior do not all agree with standard solar models. Which changes would make the different lines of evidence fit together?
Solar dynamo
Where and how does the Sun regenerate the magnetic field underlying its activity cycle?
Coronal heating problem
The Sun’s outer atmosphere is much hotter than its visible surface. Which processes deliver and dissipate enough energy to maintain it?
Stellar angular momentum transport
A star’s core and outer layers exchange rotational motion. Which internal processes set that exchange as stars evolve?
Multiple populations in globular clusters
Stars within one globular cluster can have different light-element abundances. Their common origin is still debated.
Pulsar radio emission
A pulsar’s rotating beam is familiar. The plasma process that makes its exceptionally bright radio waves is less certain.
Neutron-star equation of state
How does pressure depend on density inside a cold neutron star?
Pulsar glitches
Some pulsars suddenly spin faster. What triggers the rapid transfer of rotational motion that produces a large glitch?
Common-envelope ejection
Two stellar cores can spiral through one shared envelope. What determines whether that gas escapes and how close the surviving binary becomes?
Luminous fast blue optical transients
Cow-like transients brighten and fade rapidly while emitting powerful X-rays and radio waves. Which stellar events produce them?