Supernova

space · stars · explosions

Giant star boom. A supernova is the spectacular explosion of a star at the end of its life. It's one of the most powerful events in the whole universe.

Brighter than a galaxy. At its peak, a single supernova can shine as brightly as billions of stars all at once, before slowly fading over weeks or months.

What's left behind. After the blast, the star may collapse into a super-dense neutron star or even a black hole, or be scattered into a glowing cloud of gas called a nebula.

Star factories. Supernovas spread heavy ingredients across space. Many atoms in your body were once forged inside exploding stars!