Question

In a binary-star system that produces a nova, the white dwarf pulls matter from the companion star. The matter forms an accretion disk that orbits the white dwarf. Then a specific sequence of events must take place for a nova event to occur. Rank the steps leading up to the observed nova event in chronological order from first to last.

Answer 1

As a head-up, it is important to notice that a white dwarf only shines thanks to the stored energy and light, because a white dwarf doesn't have any hydrogen left to perform nuclear fusion.

Now the process:

First, the white dwarf accumulates all the extracted matter from its companion, onto its own surface. This extra matter increases the white dwarf's temperature and density.

After a while, the star reaches about 10 million K, so nuclear fusion can begin. The hydrogen that has been "stolen" from the other star and accumulated in the white dwarf's surface it's used for the fusion, dramatically increasing the star's brightness for a short time, causing what we know as a Nova.

As this fuel its quickly burnt out or blown into space, the star goes back to its natural white dwarf state. Since the white dwarf nor the companion star are destroyed in this process, it can happen countless of times during their lifespan.