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Astronomy & Space vocabulary · Stars & Stellar Evolution

Supernova

Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples

/ˌsuːpərˈnoʊvə/nounCommon term

In astronomy & space, supernova means: A huge stellar explosion that can briefly shine as brightly as a whole galaxy. It happens when a massive star collapses or when a white dwarf gains too much mass.

In Turkish: süpernova

How it is used

A star 'goes supernova' or 'explodes as a supernova'. Astronomers study supernova remnants and use Type Ia supernovae to measure distances to faraway galaxies. Supernovae spread heavy elements such as iron into space.

Example sentences

  1. The Crab Nebula is what remains of a supernova seen from Earth in 1054.

  2. Betelgeuse is expected to go supernova within the next 100,000 years.

Common collocations

  • go supernova
  • supernova remnant
  • Type Ia supernova
  • supernova explosion
  • neutron starThe extremely dense core left after a massive star explodes as a supernova. It packs more mass than the Sun into a ball only about 20 kilometres across.
  • black holeA region of space where matter is packed so tightly that gravity stops anything, even light, from escaping. Many form when very massive stars collapse.
  • white dwarfThe small, very dense and hot core left behind when a Sun-like star dies. It is about the size of Earth but has a mass comparable to the Sun's.
  • nebulaA huge cloud of gas and dust in space. Some nebulae are places where new stars are born; others are material thrown off by dying stars.
  • red giantA large, cool and very bright star in a late stage of its life. It forms when a star like the Sun uses up the hydrogen in its core and its outer layers swell.

More terms: Stars & Stellar Evolution

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