Strong Magnetic Fields Could Let Dead Stars Break Physics Limit

Computers simulations indicate that strong magnetic fields inside white dwarfs could help them withstand heavy gravity. These dense stellar cores are left behind when stars run out of nuclear fuel. Normally, physicists recognize a strict upper mass boundary for these objects, known as the Chandrasekhar limit. This limit sits at about 1.4 times the mass of the Sun.

Simulating Magnetized White Dwarfs

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science modified a stellar evolution software program to include magnetic fields and cooling processes. They followed stars from their early active stages through their eventual collapse. They also modeled how a white dwarf might pull matter from a nearby companion star over time. As the star accumulates material, it contracts under gravity, which strengthens its internal magnetic field and creates extra pressure to support more mass.

New Limits and Supernova Explanations

In one simulation, a magnetized white dwarf reached about 2.4 solar masses, easily surpassing the traditional threshold. This discovery could help explain why some stellar explosions shine much brighter than expected. Astronomers use these specific explosions to measure distances across space, making the new findings relevant for understanding the expansion of the universe.