Supernovissa

Supernovissa is a term used in speculative astronomy to describe a hypothetical subclass of stellar explosions. It is not part of the standard supernova taxonomy and there are no confirmed events widely recognized as supernovissa. The concept is intended to denote explosions that resemble conventional supernovae but display distinctive energetics and evolution that set them apart from established types.

Proposed characteristics include unusually high peak luminosities compared with typical core-collapse or thermonuclear supernovae, and light curves that may show an extended plateau or a delayed secondary brightening. Spectroscopically, supernovissae are predicted to exhibit unusual elemental signatures, such as prominent oxygen and neon lines with weak or absent hydrogen, and signs of high-velocity ejecta. Some models also invoke additional energy input from a central engine, such as a nascent magnetar or fallback accretion, to sustain the light curve over months.

Proposed progenitor channels encompass rapidly rotating, highly magnetized massive stars, as well as exotic binary interactions that concentrate energy in the outer layers. In one scenario, an especially energetic explosion driven by a central engine could disrupt the star more completely than standard core-collapse events; in another, unusual explosion physics might produce a bright transient without a conventional neutron star or black hole remnant. The diversity of potential pathways reflects the speculative nature of the concept.

Observationally, no confirmed supernovissa has been identified, and candidates require robust modeling and spectral confirmation. The term appears mainly in theoretical discussions as a thought experiment about the extremes of stellar death. Future surveys and analyses could clarify whether such events exist.