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 …

Dec 24, 2025 · 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 …

Sep 25, 2025 · 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 …

Dec 7, 2016 · A supernova is far larger; a star in its supernova state may emit a billion times as much light as previously. After a few weeks it begins to dim, until it eventually ceases to exist; it's often …

The shockwave formed by this sudden collapse causes the rest of the star to explode in a supernova.

Dec 23, 2024 · If a very nearby star goes supernova, it can genetically alter or possibly even destroy life on Earth. Even a fairly distant one often leaves visible wreckage that makes us telescopically gawk …

Mar 30, 2025 · A supernova is not just a star’s death—it is a dramatic event that reshapes the cosmos. These cosmic explosions are responsible for creating the elements that make up the Earth and life …

Nov 12, 2020 · A supernova is the name given to the cataclysmic explosion of a massive star at the end of its life. It can emit more energy in a few seconds than our sun will radiate in its lifetime of billions...

Sep 15, 2025 · A supernova is a powerful and catastrophic event that occurs when a star explodes, releasing an immense amount of energy into space. This explosion can briefly outshine an entire …

SUPERNOVA definition: the explosion of a star, possibly caused by gravitational collapse, during which the star's luminosity increases by as much as 20 magnitudes and most of the star's mass is blown …