Noun
(astronomy) The explosion of a star, which increases its absolute magnitude to typically a billion times that of our sun. Some leave only debris, while others fade to invisibility as neutron stars or black holes.
(figuratively) Something brilliant.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgA binary star system that includes a nearby white dwarf can produce certain types of these spectacular stellar explosions, including the nova and a Type 1a supernova. Source: Internet
According to a group of astronomers at the University of Toronto and elsewhere, the observations of this supernova are best explained by assuming that it arose from a white dwarf which grew to twice the mass of the Sun before exploding. Source: Internet
Additional support for focusing of the output of GRBs has come from observations of strong asymmetries in the spectra of nearby type Ic supernova Mazzali 2005 and from radio observations taken long after bursts when their jets are no longer relativistic. Source: Internet
A few percent of the Type Ic supernovae are associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRB), though it is also believed that any hydrogen-stripped Type Ib or Ic supernova could produce a GRB, depending on the geometry of the explosion. Source: Internet
Although neutrinos pass through the outer gases of a supernova without scattering, they provide information about the deeper supernova core with evidence that here, even neutrinos scatter to a significant extent. Source: Internet
Almost all naturally occurring elements heavier than helium are created by stellar nucleosynthesis during the star's lifetime, and for some stars by supernova nucleosynthesis when it explodes. Source: Internet