How does the typical energy released in a supernova compare to that of a nova event?
Answer
Supernova energy release ($\sim 10^{44}$ Joules or more) is orders of magnitude greater
The difference in energy release between a nova and a supernova represents a massive disparity in scale. A typical nova releases approximately $10^{38}$ Joules of energy. In stark contrast, a supernova—representing the true, terminal death of a massive star—releases energy measured at $\sim 10^{44}$ Joules or significantly more. This factor of roughly a million times more energy underscores why the supernova is described as 'super' compared to the relatively localized thermonuclear event on the surface of a white dwarf that characterizes a nova.
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