During a core-collapse supernova, what physical event causes the initial shockwave that blasts out the star's outer layers?
Answer
The outer stellar layers rebounding off the super-dense core.
The core collapse of a massive star creates an ultra-dense object (a neutron star or black hole). As gravity crushes the core, the infalling layers of stellar material suddenly halt their inward journey upon hitting this newly formed, rigid, super-dense structure. This impact causes the outer material to violently rebound outwards. This rebound generates the powerful shockwave that travels through the remaining stellar envelope, propelling the star's outer layers into space at tremendous velocities.
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