Current challenges in the physics of white dwarf stars

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current challenges in understanding white dwarf stars, emphasizing the need for advanced theories, experimental techniques, and computational efforts to resolve unsolved problems related to their physical properties.

Contribution

It provides an overview of unresolved issues in white dwarf physics aimed at engaging researchers from other fields to contribute to this area.

Findings

Identification of key unsolved problems in white dwarf physics

Highlighting the importance of advanced theories and techniques

Anticipation of new phenomena from upcoming observations

Abstract

White dwarfs are a class of stars with unique physical properties. They present many challenging problems whose solution requires the application of advanced theories of dense matter, state-of-the-art experimental techniques, and extensive computing efforts. New ground- and space-based observatories will soon provide an increasingly detailed view of white dwarf stars and reveal new phenomena that will challenge our models. This review is an introduction for researchers who are not in the field of white dwarf astrophysics with the intent to entice them to contribute their expertise to advance our knowledge of these exotic stars. We discuss a wide variety of currently unsolved or partially resolved problems that are broadly related to equations of state, transport processes and opacities.