* Nova: A nova occurs when a white dwarf star steals matter from a companion star. This material builds up on the white dwarf's surface, eventually igniting a thermonuclear explosion. Novas can be as bright as 100,000 times the Sun's luminosity, but they fade away over weeks or months.
* Supernova: A supernova is the explosive death of a massive star (at least 8 times the mass of our Sun). It's a much more powerful event than a nova, releasing immense energy and light. Supernovae can be billions of times brighter than the Sun and outshine entire galaxies for a short period.
Here's a rough comparison:
* Imagine a nova as a bright firework that flares up and fades.
* Imagine a supernova as a colossal nuclear explosion that briefly rivals the brightness of an entire galaxy.
In short, a supernova is typically 10 to 100 times brighter than a nova, but the difference in absolute luminosity can be much larger, with supernovas potentially reaching billions of times brighter than the Sun.
