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You are witnessing the most violent phenomenon in the known universe: the demise of a massive star as it explodes as a supernova. For a while, the blast will shine brighter than an entire galaxy. No analogy or metaphor will ever truly convey even a tiny fraction of its power. In a split second, the explosion will devastate the young planets surrounding the star, but its effects will go far beyond. Massive amounts of cosmic radiation will cross dozens of light-years, critically affecting any life that happens to be in the way – either by killing it or by doing the opposite: fostering evolution.

Massive stars are not keen on life. They don’t live long and end their days in mayhem and destruction.