Degenerate dwarf

A Degenerate dwarf is type of star, an alternative name for what is commonly called a White dwarf (see this reference for a more complete article). It is a type of degenerate star. In degenerate stars, the weight of the star is counterbalanced by the pressure of degenerate matter, which is, in the case of a Degenerate dwarf supplied by degenerate electrons (electrons at such high density that quantum mechanical effects are dominant). Note that in stars like the Sun, a main sequence star, the pressure is dominated by the thermal motion of atoms in a hot gas. The pressure in degenerate matter only depends on the density and not on the temperature. The internal structure of degenerate stars in general, is therefore decoupled from the thermal structure. A Degenerate dwarf, once formed with a high temperature and so with blue color, will slowly but steadily cool and at the same time maintain its size. The observed color will gradually change from a blue, through white, to red. It sits there forever, eventually becoming a black dwarf.

To avoid such oxymoronic names as a 'red white dwarf' (which is an entirely different object than a red dwarf), the name 'Degenerate dwarf' is prefered above 'White dwarf'.