An explosion about 100 times more powerful than a supernova explosion, caused by the collapse of a very massive star (mass greater than about 40 Suns).

An enormous collapse and subsequent explosion of a supergiant star that eventually forms a black hole. This explosion is bigger than a supernova and is accompanied by a gamma-ray burst.

A hypernova is many times more violent than a supernova. Hypernova (pl. hypernovae) refers to an exceptionally large star that collapses at the end of its lifespan —for example, a collapsar, or a large supernova. Up until the 1990s, it had a more specific meaning to refer to an explosion with released energy of over 100 supernovae (1046 joules).