A supernova explosion is a powerful and luminous event that occurs at the end of a star's life cycle. When a massive star exhausts its nuclear fuel, it can no longer support itself against gravitational collapse. This leads to a dramatic explosion, releasing an enormous amount of energy and often outshining entire galaxies for a short period. There are two main types of supernovae: Type I and Type II. Type I supernovae occur in binary systems where a white dwarf star accumulates material from a companion star, while Type II supernovae result from the collapse of massive stars. Both types contribute to the formation of heavy elements and the enrichment of the universe.