Re: Physics Question: Inducing Novas

> I've got a really strange (astro)physics question. Given sufficiently
> advanced technology, is there a way to induce "the average star"
> to go nova within a relatively short (hours, days) period of
> time?

We've always used jump-drives; if you jump while close enough to a star,
with a large enough ship, that star will go nova. (You'll also instantly
vaporize; this is a kamikaze weapon!) I don't remember where we got the
idea. I've also seen it referenced in a Star Trek context: when travelling in
warp-space you still have to avoid stars that are in real-space, otherwise
they go nova.

This is one of the reasons why most planetary defense fleets don't let
jump-capable ships anywhere near the primary; going too far in-system is
grounds for instant destruction...

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