Conventional theory says that nearly all stars born more than eight times as massive as the Sun explode as supernovae. ... Later in life, as a massive star begins to run out of fuel, it expands. Stars born between eight and 25 or 30 solar masses expand so much that their surfaces cool, and the stars become red supergiants.

Can all stars go supernova?

Some stars burn out instead of fading. These stars end their evolutions in massive cosmic explosions known as supernovae. ... But only a select few stars become supernovae. Many stars cool in later life to end their days as white dwarfs and, later, black dwarfs.

What percentage of stars go supernova?

Supernovas are rare; less than 1 percent of all stars are big enough for such a fiery death. (Our relatively small sun will fade away gracefully as a white dwarf.)