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Supernovae
Intermediate
Massive stars explode, seeding space with heavy elements.
A core-collapse supernova happens when an iron core exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit and collapses within a second, releasing 10⁴⁶ J, mostly in neutrinos. Type Ia (white dwarf explosions) serve as standard candles.
SN 1987A neutrinos detected on Earth.
Outshines a galaxy for weeks.
In more detail
Supernovae are explosions that end the lives of massive stars or white dwarfs in binary systems. They release enormous energy and spread heavy elements through space.
Real-world uses
- Type Ia supernovae are used as standard candles to measure cosmic distances.
- Supernovae seed new stars and planets with heavier elements.
- Supernovae scatter the heavy elements made in stars, which later form new stars, planets and life.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between types?
Type II supernovae come from massive stars, and Type Ia from white dwarfs in binaries.
Could a nearby supernova harm Earth?
Only if it occurred very close, within a few tens of light-years.
What happens in a supernova?
A massive star's core collapses, and the outer layers are blasted out, releasing enormous energy.
Related topics in Particle Physics & Cosmology
Stellar life cycle · Hertzsprung–Russell diagram · Stellar nucleosynthesis · White dwarfs · Chandrasekhar limit · Neutron stars and pulsars