supernova Definition
a star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then gradually returns to its original brightness over a period of several weeks or years, caused by a catastrophic explosion that ejects most of its mass.
Using supernova: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "supernova" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The supernova was visible from Earth for several months.
Example
A supernova can release as much energy in a few seconds as the sun will in its entire lifetime.
Example
The explosion of a supernova can create heavy elements like gold and silver.
supernova Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for supernova
- nova
- stellar explosion
Phrases with supernova
the structure resulting from the explosion of a supernova, consisting of ejected material expanding outward from the explosion site
Example
The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Taurus.
a type of supernova that occurs in binary star systems, where one of the stars is a white dwarf, and the other is either a main-sequence star or a red giant
Example
Type Ia supernovae are used as standard candles to measure cosmic distances.
core-collapse supernova
a type of supernova that occurs when a massive star runs out of fuel and its core collapses under the force of gravity, leading to a catastrophic explosion
Example
Core-collapse supernovae are responsible for creating most of the heavy elements in the universe.
Summary: supernova in Brief
A 'supernova' [ˌsuː.pərˈnəʊ.və] is a star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then gradually returns to its original brightness over a period of several weeks or years. It is caused by a catastrophic explosion that ejects most of its mass. Supernovae can release as much energy in a few seconds as the sun will in its entire lifetime. They can also create heavy elements like gold and silver.
