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 …

Feb 17, 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 …

Jan 20, 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 …

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

Oct 3, 2025 · What is a supernova explained simply? Learn how stars explode, the types of supernovae, what they leave behind, and the most famous supernovae in history.

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.

1 day ago · Forty million years ago, a star in a nearby galaxy exploded, spewing material across space and generating a brilliant beacon of light. That light traveled across the cosmos, reaching Earth on 29 …

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 …

Supernovas are some of the brightest events in the universe, occasionally outshining entire galaxies at their peak. Many supernovas can be seen from billions of light-years away, and nearby supernovas …