Optical Transients: Supernovae and Tidal Disruption Events

This lecture covers the study of optical transients, focusing on supernovae and tidal disruption events. It explores the discovery, classification, and energetics of supernovae, emphasizing the violent endpoint of stellar evolution. The lecture also delves into the origins of solar system elements, the detection methods of supernovae, and the diversity among different types of supernovae. Additionally, it discusses the mechanisms behind supernova explosions and the importance of light curves in understanding these events. Furthermore, the lecture touches on tidal disruption events, where stars are torn apart by supermassive black holes, and the phenomena of fast radio bursts and gamma-ray bursts.