JWST phase curves of ZTFJ0038+2030 show inefficient heat redistribution (<10%) and nightside CO2 asymmetry in a tidally locked brown dwarf, yielding a system age of 7.5-8.8 Gyr and low common-envelope ejection efficiency.
Common Envelope Evolution: Where we stand and how we can move forward
10 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
abstract
This work aims to present our current best physical understanding of common-envelope evolution (CEE). We highlight areas of consensus and disagreement, and stress ideas which should point the way forward for progress in this important but long-standing and largely unconquered problem. Unusually for CEE-related work, we mostly try to avoid relying on results from population synthesis or observations, in order to avoid potentially being misled by previous misunderstandings. As far as possible we debate all the relevant issues starting from physics alone, all the way from the evolution of the binary system immediately before CEE begins to the processes which might occur just after the ejection of the envelope. In particular, we include extensive discussion about the energy sources and sinks operating in CEE, and hence examine the foundations of the standard energy formalism. Special attention is also given to comparing the results of hydrodynamic simulations from different groups and to discussing the potential effect of initial conditions on the differences in the outcomes. We compare current numerical techniques for the problem of CEE and also whether more appropriate tools could and should be produced (including new formulations of computational hydrodynamics, and attempts to include 3D processes within 1D codes). Finally we explore new ways to link CEE with observations. We compare previous simulations of CEE to the recent outburst from V1309 Sco, and discuss to what extent post-common-envelope binaries and nebulae can provide information, e.g. from binary eccentricities, which is not currently being fully exploited.
citation-role summary
citation-polarity summary
years
2026 10roles
background 1polarities
background 1representative citing papers
First coupled GRHD simulations with M1 neutrino transport and alpha-chain network show hyperaccreting NSs in envelopes collapse to BHs without forming stable TZOs or unbound ejecta.
A new mass-transfer stability prescription drastically reduces the predicted number of post-common-envelope binaries with solar-type companions, best matching observations with low common-envelope efficiency.
Balmer decrements in CV spectra form a diagnostic diagram that separates period-bouncers from pre-bounce systems via fitted logistic regression.
An isolated hierarchical triple channel with chemically homogeneous evolution and triple common envelope can produce PISN mass-gap BBH mergers matching GW190706 at ~22% of the observed rate.
Failed common envelope mergers yield 6-14 solar mass stripped stars consistent with long-lived core He-burning objects that appear single or in wide binaries from hierarchical triples.
Binary evolution modeling constrains donor masses of 14-23 solar masses for two luminous red novae and shows dust masses are 1-5 orders of magnitude below total ejected envelope masses.
MESA models show residual hydrogen envelope mass sets effective temperature on the horizontal branch, with maximum values of 0.05-0.30 solar masses to avoid later thermally pulsing AGB evolution, plus explanations for blue hook stars and puffed-up pre-HB configurations.
GWTC-5.0 analysis finds evidence for structure beyond a non-skewed Gaussian bulk in χ_eff, with suggestive mass-dependent excess of positive over negative spins outside the bulk at 13:1 odds in one mass bin.
A decade of gravitational-wave data shows most merging stellar-mass black holes have small spins, with subdominant fast-spinning, misaligned, and hierarchical-merger populations.
citing papers explorer
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Asymmetric nightside CO2 features, inefficient heat transport, and precise evolutionary constraints: Spectroscopic phase curves reveal the past and present of a white dwarf-brown dwarf binary
JWST phase curves of ZTFJ0038+2030 show inefficient heat redistribution (<10%) and nightside CO2 asymmetry in a tidally locked brown dwarf, yielding a system age of 7.5-8.8 Gyr and low common-envelope ejection efficiency.
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Hyperaccreting Neutron Stars inside Massive Envelopes: The Implausibility of Thorne-\.Zytkow Objects
First coupled GRHD simulations with M1 neutrino transport and alpha-chain network show hyperaccreting NSs in envelopes collapse to BHs without forming stable TZOs or unbound ejecta.
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Influence of mass-transfer stability on the formation of post-common-envelope binaries
A new mass-transfer stability prescription drastically reduces the predicted number of post-common-envelope binaries with solar-type companions, best matching observations with low common-envelope efficiency.
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Balmer decrements as a new diagnostic for period-bounce Cataclysmic Variable stars
Balmer decrements in CV spectra form a diagnostic diagram that separates period-bouncers from pre-bounce systems via fitted logistic regression.
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A Possible Triple Formation Scenario of Binary Black Hole Merge With One In Pair-instability Supernova Mass Gap
An isolated hierarchical triple channel with chemically homogeneous evolution and triple common envelope can produce PISN mass-gap BBH mergers matching GW190706 at ~22% of the observed rate.
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Mergers via failed common envelope as a route towards intermediate-mass stripped stars
Failed common envelope mergers yield 6-14 solar mass stripped stars consistent with long-lived core He-burning objects that appear single or in wide binaries from hierarchical triples.
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Comparative Study of Two Luminous Red Novae I. Progenitor Modeling and Dust Formation
Binary evolution modeling constrains donor masses of 14-23 solar masses for two luminous red novae and shows dust masses are 1-5 orders of magnitude below total ejected envelope masses.
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Shaping the horizontal branch: The role of envelope mass in the evolution of stripped core-helium-burning stars
MESA models show residual hydrogen envelope mass sets effective temperature on the horizontal branch, with maximum values of 0.05-0.30 solar masses to avoid later thermally pulsing AGB evolution, plus explanations for blue hook stars and puffed-up pre-HB configurations.
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Evidence for additional structure in the effective spin distribution hints at multiple formation pathways in GWTC-5.0
GWTC-5.0 analysis finds evidence for structure beyond a non-skewed Gaussian bulk in χ_eff, with suggestive mass-dependent excess of positive over negative spins outside the bulk at 13:1 odds in one mass bin.
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The first decade of gravitational-wave measurements of black hole spins
A decade of gravitational-wave data shows most merging stellar-mass black holes have small spins, with subdominant fast-spinning, misaligned, and hierarchical-merger populations.