Key Takeaways

• Supernovae are powerful stellar explosions that provide critical insight into cosmic evolution and the universe’s expansion.
• Two main types of supernovae – core-collapse and Type Ia – play distinct roles in shaping galaxies and scientific measurement.
• Type Ia supernovae act as “cosmic yardsticks,” helping astronomers measure distance and discover dark energy.
• Historical records from Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and European observers preserve evidence of ancient supernovae.
• Events like Kepler’s supernova influenced shifts in scientific thinking, including acceptance of the heliocentric model.