Search results
A supernova (pl.: supernovae or supernovas) 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 nuclear fusion.
Sep 1, 2024 · Learn about the causes, types, brightness, and effects of supernovas, the biggest explosions in the universe. Find out how NASA scientists use telescopes to study these spectacular events and what they reveal about the origin of elements and the expansion of space.
Jun 6, 2024 · Don’t confuse a nova with a supernova, a final, titanic explosion that destroys some dying stars, Hounsell said. In a nova event, the dwarf star remains intact, sending the accumulated material hurtling into space in a blinding flash.
Mar 22, 2024 · The event, known as a nova, will be so bright that a “new” star will seem to appear in the night sky temporarily, visible to the naked eye. Artist's concept of a star system featuring a white ...
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. Supernovas can briefly outshine entire galaxies and radiate more energy than...
Jul 26, 2024 · 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 (Latin: “new”), the name for another type of exploding star. Supernovae resemble novae in several respects.
Mar 14, 2023 · Learn how Webb's infrared instruments reveal the details of a Wolf-Rayet star, a massive star that will soon explode as a supernova. See how Webb's observations of cosmic dust and gas around the star can help astronomers understand the origins of the universe and the dust budget.