Chandrasekhar Limit
The maximum mass that a stable white dwarf star can support against gravitational collapse via electron degeneracy pressure.
Governing formula
M_Ch ≈ 1.4 M_☉ (1.44 Solar Masses)
SI unit
Solar Masses (M_☉)
In depth
Derived by Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar in 1930. Above 1.4 M_☉, relativistic conduction electrons cannot supply sufficient degeneracy pressure, triggering core collapse into a neutron star or Type Ia supernova explosion.
Examples in the real world
A carbon-oxygen white dwarf accreting companion gas exceeding 1.4 M_☉ and exploding as a Type Ia standard candle supernova.