Back to Glossary

Supernova

A supernova is the explosive death of a star, during which it rapidly ejects most of its mass in a brilliant burst of light. In core‑collapse supernovae (Types Ib, Ic, II), massive stars (≥ 8 solar masses) exhaust their nuclear fuel, collapse under gravity, and explode. In Type Ia supernovae, a white dwarf in a binary system undergoes runaway fusion after accreting mass. These events deliver heavy elements into space, leave behind neutron stars or black holes, and power typical shock‑front supernova remnants.

Source: heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov

APODs including "Supernova"

Barnard's Loop around the Horsehead Nebula

Barnard's Loop around the Horsehead Nebula

24/02/2009

NGC 604: X-rays from a Giant Stellar Nursery

NGC 604: X-rays from a Giant Stellar Nursery

05/02/2009

Simeis 147: Supernova Remnant

Simeis 147: Supernova Remnant

31/01/2009

NGC 2736: The Pencil Nebula

NGC 2736: The Pencil Nebula

08/01/2009

NGC 1569: Starburst in a Dwarf Irregular Galaxy

NGC 1569: Starburst in a Dwarf Irregular Galaxy

29/12/2008

Crab Pulsar Wind Nebula

Crab Pulsar Wind Nebula

27/12/2008

The Large Cloud of Magellan

The Large Cloud of Magellan

19/12/2008

The Cosmic Web of the Tarantula Nebula

The Cosmic Web of the Tarantula Nebula

11/11/2008

Our Galaxy's Central Molecular Zone

Our Galaxy's Central Molecular Zone

10/11/2008

A Spectre in the Eastern Veil

A Spectre in the Eastern Veil

01/11/2008

A Dark Pulsar in CTA 1

A Dark Pulsar in CTA 1

21/10/2008

Spiral Galaxy NGC 3370 from Hubble

Spiral Galaxy NGC 3370 from Hubble

12/10/2008

SN 1006: A Supernova Ribbon from Hubble

SN 1006: A Supernova Ribbon from Hubble

15/09/2008

NGC 6960: The Witch's Broom Nebula

NGC 6960: The Witch's Broom Nebula

19/08/2008

Facing NGC 6946

Facing NGC 6946

15/08/2008

NGC 6888: The Crescent Nebula

NGC 6888: The Crescent Nebula

13/08/2008

Black Hole Candidate Cygnus X-1

Black Hole Candidate Cygnus X-1

11/08/2008

SN 1006 Supernova Remnant

SN 1006 Supernova Remnant

04/07/2008

Pickering's Triangle from Kitt Peak

Pickering's Triangle from Kitt Peak

01/07/2008

Eta Carinae and the Homunculus Nebula

Eta Carinae and the Homunculus Nebula

17/06/2008

On the Origin of Gold

On the Origin of Gold

18/05/2008

Shaping NGC 6188

Shaping NGC 6188

02/05/2008

The Tarantula Zone

The Tarantula Zone

26/04/2008

A Large Magellanic Cloud Deep Field

A Large Magellanic Cloud Deep Field

09/04/2008

Wisps Surrounding the Horsehead Nebula

Wisps Surrounding the Horsehead Nebula

06/04/2008

Across the Universe

Across the Universe

28/03/2008

The N44 Complex

The N44 Complex

27/03/2008

Star Forming Region LH 95

Star Forming Region LH 95

12/03/2008

Vela Supernova Remnant

Vela Supernova Remnant

06/03/2008

M1: The Crab Nebula from Hubble

M1: The Crab Nebula from Hubble

17/02/2008