That's absolutely correct! Massive stars, those with at least 8 times the mass of our Sun, end their lives in a spectacular and powerful event called a supernova.

Here's what happens:

* Fusion Fuel Runs Out: Massive stars fuse heavier and heavier elements in their core, eventually reaching iron. Iron fusion doesn't release energy, it absorbs it, and this marks the end of their energy production.

* Core Collapse: Without the outward pressure from fusion, the core collapses under its own gravity. This collapse is incredibly rapid and violent.

* Shockwave and Explosion: The collapsing core triggers a shockwave that rips through the star, blowing it apart in a titanic explosion. This explosion releases an enormous amount of energy, briefly outshining entire galaxies!

Supernovae are important events because they:

* Scatter Heavy Elements: They create and distribute heavy elements (like gold, uranium, and silver) throughout the universe.

* Create New Stars: The shockwaves from supernovae can trigger the collapse of nearby gas clouds, leading to the birth of new stars and planetary systems.

So, while their lives are short and intense, massive stars contribute significantly to the evolution of the universe by dying in a glorious, explosive spectacle.