Answer to Question #173615 in Astronomy | Astrophysics for ANJU JAYACHANDRAN

Question

3b) What is planetary nebula? Explain the concept of Chandrasekhar limit.

Answer 1

A planetary nebula is a cloud of gas and dust blown off a low-mass (less than 8 M)

star near the end of its life. It forms because the radiation pressure from the star blows off the star’s outer layers.

The Chandrasekhar limit is the maximum mass that can be sustained by electron

degeneracy pressure. Its value is 1.4 M. It marks the mass limit of a White Dwarf.