supernova

/ˌˈsupərˌˈnoʊvə/

/ˈsupənəʊvə/

Other forms: supernovas; supernovae

Supernova is an astronomical term for a star that explodes like crazy. When a star turns into a supernova, it becomes extremely bright.

Supernova sounds like a superhero, but it refers to the super explosion of a star. A nova is also the explosion of a star, but a supernova has more energy. A supernova happens when a star becomes bright, bursts, and its matter is scattered in all directions, with light and radiation shooting out. Some say our sun will turn into a supernova someday, which would destroy all life on Earth. Don’t worry, that’s a long way off.

Definitions of supernova

1. noun

   a star that explodes and becomes extremely luminous in the process
   examples:

   Crab Nebula

   a remnant of a supernova detected first in 1054 AD

   type of:

   star

   (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior