Stellar physics · ≈ 1.4 M☉ limit
Electron Degeneracy Pressure
A quantum-mechanical pressure that arises because electrons, by the Pauli exclusion principle, resist being packed too closely — independent of temperature. It supports white dwarfs against gravity, but only up to the Chandrasekhar limit of about 1.4 solar masses, beyond which even degeneracy fails and the star collapses further.
Highlights
- ›What holds up a white dwarf
Stars, stages & concepts
Across stellar astrophysics
Knowledge connections
- Associated withThe Helium Flash
- Associated withSubrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
- Associated withWhite Dwarf
- Associated withNeutron Star
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- ESOEuropean Southern Observatory
Southern-hemisphere observatory data and imagery (VLT, ALMA partner).