Question

A Nova brightens ~____ times, whereas a supernova brightens by a factor of _____.

a) 100, 1,000
b) 1,000, 100,000
c) 10,000, 1,000,000
d) 100,000, 1,000,000

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) a nova brightens ~100,000 times, whereas a supernova brightens by a factor of 1,000,000, with supernovae being incredibly luminous events that can outshine entire galaxies.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nova typically brightens by hundreds or thousands of times its previous luminosity. A supernova, on the other hand, can increase in brightness to the point where it outshines an entire galaxy. The most luminous supernovae have about 10 billion times the luminosity of the Sun. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is (d) 100,000 times for a nova, and by a factor of 1,000,000 for a supernova.