Astro*Dictionary
by Michael Erlewine

2 articles for
"Supernova"

(Plural: Supernovae.)

A star that explodes to maximum luminosity very quickly. At peak luminosity, a supernova may outshine the rest of its galaxy combined. Supernovae burn up almost their entire body, and end up as superdense stars, or even black holes. There have only been a few supernovae in our galaxy in recorded history; the last supernova in our galaxy was seen in AD1573.

See also:
♦ Nova ♦ Luminosity ♦ Black Hole

A very strong Nova. See: "Nova".

See also:
♦ Nova ♦ Luminosity ♦ Black Hole