Nucleosynthesis in classical nova explosions and type I X-ray bursts

Abstract

Classical nova explosions and type I X-ray bursts are the most frequent types of thermonuclear stellar explosions in the Galaxy. Both phenomena arise from thermonuclear ignition in the envelopes of accreting compact objects in close binary star systems. Detailed observations of these events have stimulated numerous studies in theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics. We briefly discuss recent theoretical efforts to understand the nucleosynthesis in these explosions, as well as experimental efforts to measure nuclear reactions and masses whose uncertainties significantly affect model predictions.