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= Type Ia supernovae
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A <Type Ia supernova> is a thermonuclear stellar explosion associated with the disruption of a <carbon-oxygen white dwarf>. Rapid <nuclear fusion> releases enough energy to unbind the compact body and eject newly processed material. Several progenitor routes are studied, including the <Double-degenerate Type Ia supernova scenario>; the observational class does not identify one unique prior binary history.

The subsequent <radioactively powered Type Ia supernova light curve> is strongly influenced by the amount and distribution of radioactive material and by photon escape through expanding ejecta. Its peak <luminosity> is therefore not identical in every event. Empirical standardization using <light curve> shape and colour makes the class useful for distances, while composition, <extinction> and population differences must be accounted for in precision applications.


 Type Ia supernova (source code)