David Cohen

What Is a Supernova, and Will It Happen to Our Sun in the Future

Introduction — Why talk about supernovae at all? Every night—even if our unaided eyes never notice—dozens of stars somewhere in the cosmos detonate, flooding their surroundings with a brilliance that momentarily eclipses the entire galaxy they inhabit. These astronomical outbursts, known as supernovae, are far more than a spectacular light show: they hold the key to deciphering the life cycle of matter, the forging of heavy elements, the pace of cosmic expansion, and even the birth of new stellar systems. In this article, we will delve into the phenomenon—from the physics that triggers the blast, through the various classification schemes, to the potential implications for Earth and for modern science.