Supernova light model
The electromagnetic energy released by a typical supernova explosion, excluding kinetic and neutrino energy.
How big is it?
1 × 10²⁷ PJ of energy
Energy · defined energy model
A little perspective
About 2.61 × 10¹³ times the mean-orbit kinetic energy of Moon orbital kinetic energy.
Moon orbital kinetic energy: Moon orbital kinetic energy is the energy the Moon possesses due to its motion as it orbits Earth.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Supernova light model
An illustrative 10⁴² J electromagnetic-energy budget. Explosion kinetic energy and neutrino energy are separate.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Moon orbital kinetic energy
Approximately 3.83 × 10²⁸ J, calculated as ½mv² from the JPL-derived lunar mass and a mean orbital speed of 1.022 km/s. The Moon’s elliptical orbit changes its instantaneous speed and kinetic energy.
The marked mean-orbit kinetic energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1 × 10²⁷ PJ
For comparison, this page uses energy. This is labelled defined energy model: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value.
An illustrative 10⁴² J electromagnetic-energy budget. Explosion kinetic energy and neutrino energy are separate.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Supernova light model dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 10²⁷ PJ | Not recorded | defined energy model |
Around this scale
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These links use compatible energy records, ordered around the selected value.
Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
EnergyFood kilocalorie4.184 kJA food kilocalorie is the energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius, used to express food energy.
EnergyPhone battery54 kJA phone battery stores electrical energy to power a mobile phone.
EnergyElectric car battery216 MJAn electric car battery stores energy to power an electric vehicle.
EnergyOne second of sunlight3.828 × 10¹¹ PJThe total energy emitted by the Sun in all directions over one second.
EnergyMoon orbital kinetic energy3.83 × 10¹³ PJMoon orbital kinetic energy is the energy the Moon possesses due to its motion as it orbits Earth.
EnergyAn industrial terajoule1 TJAn industrial terajoule is a large unit of energy used to quantify industrial-scale processes or outputs.
EnergyLightning energy model1 GJA lightning energy model represents the total energy released during a single lightning discharge.
EnergyOne tonne TNT equivalent4.184 GJOne tonne of TNT equivalent is a conventional unit of energy, defined as 4.184 gigajoules rather than by the variable yield of a particular explosive sample.