Type Iax supernova

Common card · No. 305725

A Type Iax supernova is a kind of thermonuclear supernova with many similarities to Type Ia supernovae, but can leave behind a remnant star, known as a zombie star, rather than completely dispersing the white dwarf. Type Iax supernovae are similar to Type Ia, but have a lower ejecta velocity and lower luminosity. Type Iax supernovae may occur at a rate between 5 and 30 percent of the Type Ia supernova rate. As of April 2026, at least 65 supernovae had been identified in this class. In a binary system consisting of a white dwarf and a helium companion star, the white dwarf strips away material from its companion. Normally the white dwarf would eventually reach a critical mass, where fusion reactions would make the star explode, completely unbinding the system. However, a Type Iax supernova only ejects part of the white dwarf's mass, leaving a gravitationally bound remnant star.

Read on Wikipedia · Image Nasa/ESA, Public domain