Core-Collapse Supernovae

The most energetic supernovae are powered by gravitational potential energy.
Once a massive star consumes all of its thermonuclear fuel, it is unable to support
itself against its own gravity.  The core of such a star collapses to a neutron star.
The birth of a neutron star is heralded by a burst of neutrinos that blows apart
the remainder of the star.  We see this expanding debris as a supernova.

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