Which term describes a star explosion that briefly becomes extremely luminous?

• A. Supernova
• B. Black Hole
• C. Nebula
• D. Pulsar

Answer: (A)

A stellar explosion that briefly becomes extremely luminous is a supernova. In a supernova, the star releases a huge amount of energy in a short time, so its brightness can outshine an entire galaxy for days to weeks. This sudden, intense brightening is what makes it recognizable as a supernova, distinct from normal stellar light. A black hole isn’t an explosion but a region where gravity is so strong that nothing can escape; a nebula is simply a cloud of gas and dust in space; a pulsar is a rapidly spinning neutron star that emits beams of radiation. The explosion often leaves behind a compact remnant like a neutron star or black hole, and the ejected material can form a nebula, but the defining event is the supernova.