Gourt > Science > Astronomy > Stars > Novae and Supernovae
A supernova is a stellar explosion that produces an extremely bright object made of plasma that declines to invisibility over weeks or months. There are several different types of supernovae and two possible routes to their formation. A massive star may cease to generate fusion energy from fusing the nuclei of atoms in its core and collapses inward under the force of its own gravity, or a white dwarf star may accumulate material from a companion star until it reaches its Chandrasekhar limit and undergoes a thermonuclear explosion (see Nova). In either case, the resulting supernova explosion expels much or all of the stellar material with great force.
The explosion drives a blast wave into the surrounding space, forming a supernova remnant. One famous example of this process is the remnant of SN 1604, shown to the right.
"Nova" (pl. novae) is Latin for "new", referring to what appears to be a very bright new star shining in the celestial sphere; the prefix "super" distinguishes this from an ordinary nova, which also involves a star increasing in brightness, though to a lesser extent and through a different mechanism. However, it is misleading to consider a supernova as a new star, because it really represents the death of a star (or at least its radical transformation into something else).
More on [ Supernova ]
Supernovae and Remnants :: Data Archives
Neutron Stars :: Stars
Stellar Evolution :: Stars
Astrophysics :: Physics
Neutrino :: Particle
@flight0001 All that tension and energy = novae and supernovae. Stop that!! #fb
dannistories (Dannis Cole) Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:53:50 -0000
@flight0001 All that tension and energy = novae and supernovae. Stop that!! #fb
International Supernovae Network - Includes recent discoveries and technical information about finding supernovae.
Latest Supernovae - A list of the latest Supernovae with reference images.
Meta Description: [ A list of the latest Supernovae with reference images ]
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List of Recent Supernovae - Huge index of recent supernovae, including date found, SN position, and host galaxy.
Masi Astro Images Photometry - Site intro in English and Italian. A short list of Supernovae and variable star images.
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Mr. Galaxy's Supernovae - Nice brief introduction to Supernovae including information on the SunSEARCH program and how to find supernovae.
Remnant of Chinese Supernova - Scientists using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have found new evidence that a pulsar in the constellation of Sagittarius was created when a massive star exploded, witnessed by Chinese astronomers in the year 386 AD.
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SuperNova Early Warning System (SNEWS) - Network utilizing neutrino detectors to detect neutrino burst from supernova in order to provide a prompt alert to astronomers.
Supernova Taxonomy - A discussion of the taxonomy of supernovae.
Meta Description: [ A discussion of the taxonomy of supernovae ]
Supernova, by HEASARC - HEASARC: High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center provides a short article regarding the high-energy aspects of supernovae explosions.
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Supernovae - Fundamentals of type I II supernovae
Type 1a Supernovae and the Cosmological Constant - Brief look at recent type Ia supernova data and the cosmological constant
Meta Description: [ Data from type Ia supernovae indicate a non-zero cosmological constant. ]
University of Texas Supernovae Research - Includes research contacts, preprints, reviews and published papers by the Astronomy group of the University of Texas.
Very-Late-Type Spiral and Irregular Galaxy Supernova Search - Current statistics of search at University of Iowa, movies of observed SNe. The rates in Sdm-Sm and Irr galaxies seem to be higher even than in late type Sbc-Sd galaxies.
Meta Description: [ University of Iowa Very-Late-Type Spiral andIrregular Galaxy Supernova Search. Researcher: Chris Anson , 82 galaxy yearshave been obtained and supernova rates and comparisons can now be performed ]
When supernovae go hyper: NASA article - Magazine-style article written by NASA on the explanation for gamma-ray bursts surrounding 'hypernova' type supernovae.
Meta Description: [ NASA Science News: Scientists thought they understood
supernovae - the death throes of huge, exploding stars. However,
a new kind of supernova, far too bright to be an ordinary
supernova confounds current theories, and may be the explanation for gamma-ray bursts. ]
X-ray Astronomy: Supernovae and their remnants - Brief NASA introduction to supernovae. Includes images.
Meta Description: [ This site is intended for students age 14 and up, and for anyone interested in learning about our universe. ]
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