Type Ia Supernovae

• Brightness rivals that of host galaxy, L ~ 1043 erg s-1

• Large amounts of 56Ni produced

  • Radioactivity powers the lightcurve

• No compact remnant

• Lightcurve is robust

  • Variations can be corrected for via a single parameter function.

• Thermonuclear explosion of C/O white dwarf.

  • Must begin as a deflagration
  • Considerable acceleration is required