Supernovae: Nature’s Ultimate Nuclear Explosions

A supernova is the explosive death of a massive star.
It shines brighter than an entire galaxy for a short time.
Core-collapse supernovae happen when a star’s core runs out of fuel and collapses.
Type Ia supernovae occur when a white dwarf explodes in a binary system.
Supernovae forge heavy elements like gold, silver, and uranium.
These explosions scatter elements into space, seeding new stars and planets.
A shockwave from a supernova can trigger the birth of new stars.
The Crab Nebula is a famous remnant of a supernova seen in 1054.
Supernovae leave behind neutron stars or black holes as stellar remnants.
They are cosmic laboratories, revealing the physics of extreme matter and energy.