Previously, scientists believed that white dwarf stars ignited only when they approached critical mass (1.4 times the mass of the sun). Now, however, scientists have found another catalyst for a white dwarf star's ignition: black holes.
This new method of ignition occurs when white dwarfs star enters the vicinity of an intermediate-mass black hole (one that is neither too big or small; 500-1,000 times the mass of the Sun). The result of the black hole's overwhelming gravitational pull causes "tidal forces sufficient to disrupt the stellar remnant and reignite the burning in it"(Source: Article)
Cool, huh? All I can say in response to this discovery is that I would NOT like to find MYSELF in the realm of any black hole!
www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6605
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