Supernovae

Cataclysmic stellar explosions that forge and disperse heavy elements, briefly outshining entire galaxies.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Chinese astronomers recorded the supernova of 1054 AD, visible in daylight for weeks; its debris forms the Crab Nebula.
• Type Ia supernovae detonate at a nearly uniform luminosity, making them the standard candles that revealed cosmic acceleration.
• A core-collapse supernova releases about 99% of its energy as neutrinos, a burst detected from SN 1987A.

Specifications & Metrics

• TYPES: Type Ia (thermonuclear), Type II (core collapse)