Explore the latest advancements in white dwarf astrophysics through this comprehensive lecture by Nadia Zakamska from IAS and Johns Hopkins University. Delve into the impact of modern surveys like Gaia, deep variability surveys, and large-area Galactic spectroscopic surveys on our understanding of white dwarfs. Learn about the search for ultra-compact binaries containing white dwarfs as potential Type Ia supernova progenitors. Discover how recent research has contributed to measuring the white dwarf equation of state, uncovering short-period white-dwarf binaries, and investigating mass loss during single and binary stellar evolution. The lecture covers various topics, including ultracompact binaries, supernova progenitors, atmospheric models, double-line binaries, gravitational wave emission, and formation channels. Gain insights into the bimodal distribution of white dwarfs, predictions for future observations, and the broader implications for our understanding of stellar evolution and the cosmos. Read more