Supernova Supernovas are stars that are billions of times as bright as the sun. They become so bright because they are exploding. They don’t stay as bright though because eventually they fade away from view. Sometimes they become so bright that they shine brighter than an entire galaxy. When they explode they release clouds of gas and dust that are so huge they could have a mass about 10 times the mass of the sun.

Type 1 Supernova A type 1 supernova is formed by a certain type of star called a binary star. Binary stars are stars that orbit each other and that are very close together. They become a a supernova only if on of the stars is a small star called a white dwarf. If these stars are close enough together, the white dwarf’s strong gravitational pull will draw mass from the other star. Then, when the white dwarf’s mass is 1.4 times the mass of the sun, it will collapse and explode.

Type 2 Supernova A type 2 supernova happens when a massive star dies. The center of this star collapses very quickly when the star begins to burn out. A tremendous amount of energy is released as the core collapses. This energy makes the star become a supernova.

A TYPE 2 SUPERNOVA

Leftovers Supernovae are believed to leave behind heavy elements that are found on Earth and in objects outside of the solar system. Some of these elements are gold, iron, and uranium.

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