What is Supernova..
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00:00What do you call the death of a star?
00:12Well, that's an easy one.
00:15It's called a supernova.
00:18Super-no-what?
00:20Supernova, Kitty.
00:22Oh, you've never heard of that word before, Kitty?
00:25No.
00:26Well, there's no need to worry, my dear, when Dr. Binocs is here.
00:32So, let me grab this opportunity and teach you and our friends out there about this natural phenomenon called supernova.
00:42Zoom in!
00:45Stars, they come in all colors, shapes and sizes.
00:49Like the blue giant, red giant, red supergiant.
00:55Even our sun is a type of star called G2V Yellow Dwarf.
01:01But despite these differences, most of them meet their end with a supernova.
01:09So, what is a supernova?
01:13Well, a supernova is a massive explosion that takes place at the end of a star's life cycle.
01:23In other words, it is the death of a star.
01:28But the vital question is, what causes this explosion, a.k.a. a supernova?
01:37Well, a supernova occurs when there is a change in the core or center of a star.
01:44This change can happen in two different forms, with both resulting in a supernova.
01:52First, let us look at the type of supernova that happens in the binary star systems..
01:59..that consist of two stars orbiting around their common center of mass.
02:05During the process, one of the stars, a Carbon-Oxygen White Dwarf, takes matter from its partner star.
02:14Eventually, the White Dwarf gathers so much matter that makes it difficult to digest..
02:21..and causes the star to blast, resulting in a supernova.
02:29The other type of supernova happens at the end of a single star's lifetime.
02:36As the star runs out of nuclear fuel, some of its mass flows into the core.
02:43Eventually, the center part of the star is so heavy that it cannot withstand its own gravitational force..
02:51..and it becomes like a nuclear time bomb.
02:56Finally, the core collapses and all the matter and radiation blast out..
03:02..which results in the monstrous eruption we call a supernova.
03:10But fortunately, not all stars end with a supernova.
03:15Even our own sun is a single star, but it does not have enough mass to become a supernova.
03:23Or else, it would have been a significant threat to our solar system that includes our Earth.
03:33Trivia Time!
03:35Did you know a supernova burns for only a short duration?
03:40But it can tell scientists a lot about the universe.
03:45Yes, one kind of supernova has revealed to scientists that we live in an expanding universe.
03:53One that is growing at an ever-increasing rate.
03:58Scientists also have discovered that supernova play a vital role in spreading elements all around the universe.
04:07Yes, when the star bursts, it shoots elements and debris into space.
04:13Many of the elements we find here on Earth are made in the core of stars.
04:20These elements travel on to form new stars, planets and everything else in the universe.
04:29It's question time!
04:32Today's question is..
04:34What do you call that massive explosion that takes place at the end of a star's life cycle?
04:42Do write your answer in the comment section below.
04:45And hit the like and subscribe button if you haven't yet.
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04:53And get a chance to get it featured by the end of our videos.
04:58So, here are the winners of the previous episode.
05:05Hope you enjoyed today's episode.
05:07Until next time, it's me Dr. Binocs, Zooming out!
05:12Ah! Never mind.