What Happens When a Star Exceeds the Chandrasekhar Limit?
When a star's core exceeds the Chandrasekhar Limit, the electron degeneracy pressure can no longer support the star against gravitational collapse. In the case of a white dwarf, this leads to a Type Ia supernova, a thermonuclear explosion that completely disrupts the star. Alternatively, if the star's core is primarily composed of iron, the collapse leads to the formation of a neutron star or a black hole.
