SCIENCE SEMINAR
A Critical Analysis of Common Envelope Physics: Part I
Eric Blais
Bishop's University
Thursday, May 20, 2010
3:00 pm
Nicolls 1
The origin of Type Ia Supernovae (Ia SNe) has remained a mystery for over 40 years. There is increasing evidence that Ia SNe occur as a result of the merger of two degenerate (white) dwarfs in a binary. To produce a double-degenerate binary, there should be at least one or two Common Envelope episodes (unless there is a direct collision). During a Common Envelope phase, the compact companion is engulfed by a giant star that has its own degenerate core. In this talk, I will critically examine the so-called x- and y-prescriptions to explain the removal of the Common Envelope. I will also discuss new scenarios for the formation of certain classes of close systems.
