A supernova is the catastrophic death of a star, characterized by a massive output of energy. In the Milky Way, supernovae are relatively rare, with a few notable incidences of historical supernovae recorded as far back as 185 CE. Many previous supernovae were probably topics of conversation and concern among the people who witnessed them. Around the universe, several hundred are observed and recorded each year, providing information about the formation of the universe and the objects within it.
There are two basic types of supernova, although each type is broken up into subtypes. In the case of a Type One, an instability arises in the chemical makeup of the star, leading to a thermonuclear explosion of formidable power. The core temperature of the star rises as a result of pressure and the imbalance, ultimately igniting the star in an explosion which can sometimes be visible with the naked eye from Earth.
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