| Definition |
A nova is defined as “A star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then gradually returns to its original brightness over a period of weeks to years’” |
A supernova is “a rare celestial phenomenon involving the explosion of most of the material in a star, resulting in an extremely bright, short-lived object that emits vast amounts of energy” |
| Mass Ejection |
Nova, very less mass is ejected as compared to that in a supernova. |
Supernova a lot of the object’s mass is ejected with the explosion. The amount of this mass is more than the mass of the sun. |
| Destruction and lasts. |
A nova does not destroy its host star and it has period of few weeks to years. |
Supernova does destroy its hot star and it last for billions of light years.. |
| Results of |
A nova is the result of “eruption of a very old dying star |
Supernova is also the result of a dying star but it is the result of a “violent” explosion of the star |
| How it occurs |
Nova usually occur in binary systems where the white dwarf absorbs matter from the other star and this results in large compression which makes the star ignite. This process occurs through nuclear fusion. |
A supernova is usually formed after either a chemical imbalance, or due to implosion of the core of the host star
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