Supernovae
From Slackerpedia Galactica
A Supernova is the explosion of a star at the end of its life. As a massive star ages, it fuses heavier elements in its core. Eventually Iron is formed, which cannot be fused by the star. So the inner fires of the star goes out and the rest of the star collapses into the core, now made up of degenerate electrons. The collapse bounces off this core and forms a shockwave that moves out into space, tearing apart the rest of the star in the process. In addition, the intense heat forges even heavier elements in the shockwave. This is how the vast majority of the metals in the Universe was formed. Yes, it means that most of the elements that make up you, your bed, your cat, your computer, etc. were at one point created inside a supernova.
Supernovae leave behind neutron stars, rapidly spinning and moving through space. Sometimes, they leave behind a black hole and are then referred to as hypernovae.
Some supernovae eventually become nebulae. One famous example of a supernova remnant is the Crab nebula.
