Freon stars (affectionately named for the refrigerant freon) are a hypothetical form of dark matter and specifically a type of massive compact halo object (MACHO). Freon star theory is generally considered to be well outside the scientific mainstream, and as of 2005 freon stars remain undistinguishable from white dwarfs.
According to theory, freon stars provide a mechanism by which the mass of white dwarfs may exceed the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.4 solar masses. Normally, cold objects of this mass or greater would undergo gravitational collapse, ultimately becoming neutron stars or black holes. In freon stars, sufficient energy has been carried away by supernova that an efficient heat pump is established by the combination of immense tidal forces and convection. This leads to sustained cooling of the star interior, creating a superconducting and highly condensed region in the core. In this environment, cold fusion is promoted, which provides the necessary energy to avert further gravitational collapse.
Freon stars (affectionately named for the refrigerant freon) are a hypothetical form of dark matter and specifically a type of massive compact halo object (MACHO). Freon star theory is generally considered to be well outside the scientific mainstream, and as of 2005 freon stars remain undistinguishable from white dwarfs.
According to theory, freon stars provide a mechanism by which the mass of white dwarfs may exceed the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.4 solar masses. Normally, cold objects of this mass or greater would undergo gravitational collapse, ultimately becoming neutron stars or black holes. In freon stars, sufficient energy has been carried away by supernova that an efficient heat pump is established by the combination of immense tidal forces and convection. This leads to sustained cooling of the star interior, creating a superconducting and highly condensed region in the core. In this environment, cold fusion is promoted, which provides the necessary energy to avert further gravitational collapse.