* A neutron star: This is the most common outcome. The intense pressure and gravity after the supernova collapse the core's protons and electrons into neutrons, forming a incredibly dense sphere of neutrons. Neutron stars are only about 20 kilometers (12 miles) in diameter, but they can be incredibly massive, often exceeding the mass of our sun.
* A black hole: If the core is sufficiently massive (more than about 3 times the mass of our sun), even the neutron pressure can't resist gravity. The core collapses indefinitely, creating a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. This is what we call a black hole.
It's important to note that the exact outcome depends on the initial mass of the star. Stars with masses between 8 and 20 times the mass of our sun usually become neutron stars, while stars with masses above 20 times the mass of our sun typically collapse into black holes.
