Many observed neutron stars are in binaries and accrete hydrogen-rich material from low-mass companions. The accumulating matter eventually triggers a thermonuclear runaway that results in an X-ray burst lasting 10–100s with a recurrence time of hours to days. Almost all observed thermonuclear X-ray bursts are thought to be triggered by the thermally unstable triple-alpha process, as most...
The $^{15}$O($\alpha$,$\gamma$)$^{19}$Ne reaction is a key breakout route from the hot CNO cycle in explosive environments such as in type I X-ray bursts. Determining an accurate cross section for the relevant resonant states is critical for a better understanding of the X-ray burst energy production and light-curves, and of the subsequent nucleosynthesis through the ap- and...
Classical novae are stellar thermonuclear explosions that occur when a white dwarf accretes material from a companion star. In the early Galactic history, and still today in metal-poor environments, these explosions likely proceeded differently due to the accretion of sub-solar metallicity material. It has been suggested that such low-metallicity novae produced distinct abundance patterns...
