Superluminous supernova

A supernova whose peak luminosity is typically at least ten times that of an ordinary supernova. Its extreme brightness can arise from energy sources beyond radioactive decay alone.

Pair-instability supernova: An explosion of a very massive star triggered when energetic photons create electron–positron pairs, destabilizing its core. Complete disruption of a massive star can power some exceptionally bright explosions.
Supernova: A stellar explosion that produces a sudden increase in brightness and ejects stellar material. Superluminous events are an exceptionally bright subset of supernovae.
SN 2006gy: A remarkably luminous supernova discovered in 2006 in the galaxy NGC 1260. Its extraordinary brightness made it an early archetype of the class.
Supernova classification: The organization of supernovae into observational types based mainly on their spectra and light curves. The superluminous label supplements traditional spectral classes such as hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-poor.
Magnetar-powered supernova: A supernova whose luminosity is sustained by energy deposited from a newly formed, rapidly spinning magnetar. This model explains smooth, prolonged light curves without requiring extreme radioactive nickel masses.
Magnetar: A neutron star with an exceptionally strong magnetic field. A rapidly spinning magnetar can inject energy into expanding supernova debris.
Luminosity: The total energy an object emits per unit time across all wavelengths. Intrinsic luminosity, rather than apparent brightness alone, defines exceptional power.
SN 2007bi: A slowly evolving, hydrogen-poor supernova discovered in 2007. Its light curve and spectra helped motivate a pair-instability interpretation.
Robert Quimby: An astronomer known for discovering and studying unusually luminous supernovae. His work helped establish superluminous supernovae as a distinct observational population.
Pair-instability nucleosynthesis: The production of chemical elements during thermonuclear burning in a pair-instability explosion. Predicted element yields can test whether a massive star was completely disrupted.

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Type Ib and Ic supernovaeRelated: Some superluminous events are hydrogen-poor and spectroscopically related to stripped-envelope explosions.