A supernova (pl.: supernovae) is a powerful and luminous explosion of a star. A supernova occurs during the last evolutionary stages of a massive star, or when a white dwarf is triggered into runaway …

Apr 13, 2026 · A supernova of a star more than about 10 times the size of our sun may leave behind the densest objects in the universe— black holes. The Crab Nebula is the leftover, or remnant, of a …

Apr 19, 2026 · supernova, any of a class of violently exploding stars whose luminosity after eruption suddenly increases many millions of times its normal level. The term supernova is derived from nova …

Jun 19, 2023 · A supernova is what happens when a star has reached the end of its life and explodes in a brilliant burst of light.

Nov 12, 2020 · A supernova is a star's colossal explosion at the end of its life, which can outshine its entire galaxy. Read about causes and types of supernovae here.

Supernova explosions are spectacular exceptions to that rule. Several different pathways can lead to a supernova explosion, one of which is the death of a supermassive star.

A supernova can light the sky up for weeks, and the massive transfer of matter and energy leaves behind a very different star.

Mar 30, 2025 · When certain stars die, they do not simply fade away. They explode. This tremendous stellar explosion is known as a supernova. It is one of the most powerful phenomena in the universe, …

What is a supernova? Learn how massive stars explode, the types of supernovae, and the famous cosmic events captured by astronomers.

Apr 26, 2024 · A supernova creates a huge amount of light for a short amount of time. Astronomers hoping to study such fleeting events look for points of light that suddenly appear in the night sky.