After the Death of a Star
A supernova is one of the most powerful explosions in the universe. It happens when a very massive star reaches the end of its life and can no longer support itself against gravity. The core collapses suddenly, causing a massive explosion that blasts the outer layers of the star into space. This explosion can briefly outshine entire galaxies and spreads heavy elements like iron and gold into space. These elements later become part of new stars, planets, and even life. A black hole forms when the core of a very massive star collapses after a supernova. Its gravity becomes so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape it. The boundary around a black hole is called the event horizon, and anything that crosses it cannot return. Black holes can be small or extremely large, with some “supermassive” ones found at the centers of galaxies. Scientists study them by observing how they affect nearby stars and gas. A neutron star is what remains after a supernova when the core is not massiv...
