Chandrasekhar limit

noun

Chan·​dra·​se·​khar limit
ˌchəndrəˈshā(ˌ)kär-
: the maximum mass at which a star near the end of its life cycle can become a white dwarf and above which the star will collapse to form a neutron star or black hole : a stellar mass equal to about 1.4 solar masses

Word History

Etymology

after Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar †1995 American (Indian-born) physicist

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Cite this Entry

“Chandrasekhar limit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chandrasekhar%20limit. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

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