Hubble has been able to capture a star explosion, forming supernova SN 2013ek, in spiral galaxy NGC 6984.

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The supernova is visible in this image as a prominent, star-like bright object just slightly above and to the right of the galaxy's center.

SN 2013ek is a Type Ib supernova, which is caused by the core collapse of massive stars that have shed — or lost — their outer layers of hydrogen.

Type Ic supernovae are thought to have lost more of their outer envelope than Type Ib, including a layer of helium.