Supernova explosion

Supernovae come in two types: massive stars that explode at the end of their brief lives and detonating white dwarf stars in binary systems. Both types are extremely powerful, sending energetic radiation and blast waves of ejected gas far into space. If a supernova explosion were to occur within about 25 light-years of Earth, our planet would probably lose its atmosphere and all life would perish. However, astronomers haven’t found any dangerous supernova candidates in our cosmic backyard, so there is no reason to worry.