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General Concepts

• Which stars are considered to be intermediate-mass stars?
• Which stars are considered to be high-mass stars?
• How does the evolution of intermediate- and high-mass stars differ?

Novae

• What do we see when a nova happens in the sky?
• What kind of star can produce a nova?
• Is it correct to view a nova as a new star?
• Can a nova explode several times?
• How often do we see nova explosions in our galaxy?

Supernovae

• What do we see when a supernova happens in the sky?
• What kind of star can produce a supernova?
• What is the difference between type I and type II supernovas?
• How do type I and type II supernovas occur?
• Can the same supernova explode several times?
• Can a star like the Sun become a supernova?
• What can be left behind at the center of a supernova explosion?
• What is the Chandrasekhar limit?

Supernovae in Our Galaxy

• When was the last known supernova explosion inside our galaxy seen?
• How often would we expect to see a supernova in our galaxy?
• Do we have evidence of past supernovae in our galaxy?
• Have supernovae been seen in our galaxy or other galaxies recently?
• Do we know of any star in our galaxy that could become a supernova soon?

Supernova Remnants

• What do we see at the location where a supernova occurred in the past?
• What is the Crab nebula?
• Where did we see a supernova in 1987?
• What does it mean to say that supernovas are "standard candles"?
• Why is it useful to be able to see supernovas in other galaxies?
• What is the heaviest element the cores of massive stars are made of?
• What effect do supernova explosions have on interstellar matter?