The theoretical cold remnant of a dead, low mass star. After a
red giant has produced a planetary nebula and nuclear fusion has stopped in its core, the remains will collapse and form a white dwarf star. The white dwarf is very hot and will gradually radiate this heat energy into space. Since it is no longer producing energy, once this residue has been radiated it will be become a cold, dark body known as a black dwarf. The cooling times for a white dwarf are so large, however, that the universe may not yet be old enough to contain any black dwarfs. Detecting them is a huge problem, since they are so small and do not radiate any energy.