A supernova impostor is a type of astronomical event that resembles a supernova but does not lead to the complete destruction of a star. Unlike traditional supernovae, which are the explosive deaths of massive stars, supernova impostors are usually associated with massive stars that experience a significant outburst of energy and mass loss, giving them a luminosity similar to that of a supernova. These events typically occur in certain types of massive stars, particularly those classified as luminous blue variables (LBVs).
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