What is the term for a star's explosive death?

A star's explosive death is referred to as a supernova. This dramatic event occurs at the end of a massive star's life cycle when it exhausts its nuclear fuel. In this process, the core collapses under the force of gravity, leading to a rapid increase in temperature and pressure. This culminates in a cataclysmic explosion that ejects the outer layers of the star into space, while the core may become a neutron star or black hole, depending on its mass.

The term "nova" refers to a different phenomenon, where a white dwarf star undergoes a thermonuclear explosion on its surface, causing it to brighten significantly but not to the same extent or mechanism as a supernova. Similarly, a flare typically describes a sudden burst of energy from the surface of a star, not necessarily involving its death. Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay and is unrelated to stellar death processes.

Understanding the nature of a supernova provides insight into stellar evolution and contributes to the formation of heavier elements in the universe, making it a significant event in astronomical studies.