Supergiants are massive stars that are significantly larger and more luminous than the Sun. They typically have a mass ranging from about 10 to 100 times that of the Sun and can be thousands of times brighter. These stars are often found in the later stages of stellar evolution, where they expand and cool, resulting in their large size. The life cycle of a supergiant ends in a spectacular explosion known as a supernova. This event can outshine entire galaxies for a short period and is crucial for dispersing heavy elements into space, contributing to the formation of new stars and planets.