12.9: White Dwarfs and Neighbors
White Dwarf surrounded by its accretion disk. The star being cannibalized) is in the upper right. Note the differences between the White Dwarf’s and the star’s color and size. White Dwarf surrounded by its accretion disk. The star being cannibalized) is in the upper right. Note the differences between the White Dwarf’s and the star’s color and size.
The nova—indicated by the white arrows, provides the illumination to allow the reddish nebula to be seen. When the nova fades from view, the nebula will lose its illumination source, so it will no longer be seen.