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Stevetrov t1_j6w4fl6 wrote

Making stars go supernova is a popular theme in science fiction. According to our current understanding of physics what would be the easiest (least completely impractical) way to artificially induce a supernova.

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mfb- t1_j6w854a wrote

If the star is massive enough, wait, or add more material to increase its fusion rate so you have to wait less.

If the star is not massive enough, add more material and then see above. For most stars that means you'll have to multiply their mass by a factor 10-100 or so. At this point, do you still make the original star have a supernova? Or do you just throw the original star into a larger star which ends up in a supernova soon?

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