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The study of white dwarfs has been steadily growing during the last
years and now is a mature field extending its influence over many
others. Since white dwarfs are long lived objects, they can be used
to obtain information about the history of the Galaxy. The
simplicity of their structures enables them to act as precise
particle physics laboratories and the extreme con ditions reached
at their surfaces allow us to test the equation of state and to
study the behavior of matter under conditions impossible to be
reached in terrestrial laboratories. Nevertheless, white dwarfs are
still challenging astrophysicists. Many questions, ranging from the
determination of funda mental parameters to the evolution of their
outer layers, are still waiting for a satisfactory answer. The
European Workshop series on White Dwarfs started in 1974 as a con
sequence of the effort and enthusiasm of Professor Volker
Weidemann. The existing proceedings of these meetings, together
with those corresponding to the lAU Colloquia held in Rochester
(1979) and in Hanover (1988), provide a unique opportunity to
follow the development of this field. We hope that the present
volume will provide a representative snapshot of the state of the
art in 1996. In this sense we are very indebted to all the
participants that have sent their contributions according to the
instructions (this clearly excludes everybody beyond three sigmas
from the standards).
All theoretical and observational topics relevant to the
understanding of the thermonuclear (Type Ia) supernova phenomenon
are thoroughly and consistently reviewed by a panel including the
foremost experts in the field. The book covers all aspects, ranging
from the observations of SNe Ia at all stages and all wavelengths
to the 2D and 3D modelling of thermonuclear flames in very dense
plasmas. Scenarios for close binary evolution leading to SNe Ia are
discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the homogeneity vs.
diversity of SNe Ia and on their use as standard candles to measure
cosmological parameters. The book reflects the recent and very
significant progress made in both the modelling of the explosions
and in the observational field.
This volume collects the contributions to the 10th European
Workshop on White Dwarfs held in Blanes, Spain, in June 1996. The
Workshop gathered together a number of specialists working in this
area of research and provided an updated description of the current
work of the field as well as its connections with other topics.
This text provides a snapshot of current understanding of the
origin, structure and evolution of white dwarf stars from both the
theoretical and the observational points of view. It also takes
into account the properties of white dwarfs as members of binary
systems, stellar clusters and galactic populations.
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