A nova, despite its name, isn't actually a "new" star, but rather one that wasn't noticed until it exploded, when it may increase in brightness by a million times before returning to its previous state a few days later. A supernova is far larger; a star in its supernova state may emit a billion times as much light as previously. After a few weeks it begins to dim, until it eventually ceases to exist; it's often replaced by a black hole. (Though remains that were shot out into space may survive; those of a great supernova seen in A.D. 1054 are now known as the Crab Nebula.) All this may serve as a warning to those human stars whose fame explodes too rapidly; supernovas of this kind have sometimes vanished by the following year.
tragically, a shoulder injury cut short the pitching career of one of baseball's brightest supernovas
Recent Examples on the WebNeutron stars are created in the fiery hearts of supernova explosions. Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 17 June 2022 In theory, supernova remnants—the gas and dust left by the explosive deaths of stars—should also be able to generate PeV protons, Fang says.WIRED, 28 Aug. 2022 The nod to the supernova Portuguese forward, who’s also 37, spurred both awe and anger. Rachel Bachman, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 But surrounding that are all sorts of fascinating features: cold gas clouds, clusters of new stars, supernova remnants, and elongated filaments of hot, X-ray emitting matter. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 1 June 2021 Of course, Betelgeuse may have already gone supernova over 529 years ago and its light just hasn’t reached us yet. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 James Webb may have captured an image of its first supernova. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 31 July 2022 The amount of attention on me has gone supernova, which super sucks. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 26 July 2022 Many also believe that these collapses are accompanied by a supernova explosion. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 19 July 2022 See More