Supernovae are cosmic explosions where a single star can become as bright as a billion stars combined. Even though supernovae are crucial to the Universe, including producing the elements necessary for life, many mysteries remain. What powers them? Which stars are exploding? How do stars die? Astrophysicists are combining clues from observations with theoretical modeling to finally address these issues. And just like with any good mystery, often the answers lead to even more questions.

Dr. Tony Piro
George Ellery Hale Distinguished Scholar in Theoretical Astrophysics
Carnegie Institution for Science, The Observatories

Thank you to The Huntington Library and the Norris Foundation for making Carnegie’s Astronomy Lecture Series possible.