Supernovas
Discover amazing facts about supernovas, the spectacular explosions that mark the dramatic end of massive stars' lives
Supernovas are among the most powerful explosions in the universe, briefly outshining entire galaxies
Supernovas are among the most spectacular and powerful events in the entire universe! These incredible explosions happen when massive stars - at least 8 times heavier than our Sun - reach the end of their lives and can no longer support themselves against gravity. In just seconds, the star's core collapses and then explodes outward with the force of billions of atomic bombs, releasing more energy than our Sun will produce in its entire 10-billion-year lifetime. The explosion is so bright that it can briefly outshine an entire galaxy containing billions of stars!
When a supernova explodes, it creates and scatters many of the chemical elements that make up planets and even our own bodies. Elements like iron, calcium, and oxygen that are essential for life are forged in the intense heat and pressure of supernovas and then blown into space. This means that the atoms in your body were literally created inside exploding stars billions of years ago - you are made of "star stuff!" The shock waves from supernovas also help trigger the formation of new stars in nearby gas clouds.
