Favoured configuration for theprogenitor system of SN2006X before the explosion. The White Dwarf (onthe right) accretes material from the Red Giant star, which is losinggas in the form of stellar wind (the diffuse material surrounding thegiant). Only part of the gas is accreted by the White Dwarf, through aso-called accretion disk which surrounds the compact star. The remaining gas escapes thesystem and eventually dissipates into the interstellar medium.  The RedGiant star has a radius about 100 times larger than our Sun, while theWhite Dwarf is about 100 times smaller than the Sun.

Photoshop and Cinema 4D.