Supernovae can broadly be divided into two main categories depending on the type of progenitor star. Type Ia supernovae (SNIa) result from the explosion of a white dwarf which has exceeded the Chandrasekhar Limit. Type Ib (SNIb), Type Ic (SNIc) and Type II (SNII) supernovae all result from the core-collapse of a massive star and, for obvious reasons, are collectively known as core-collapse supernovae.

Although it is not immediately obvious that SNIb and SNIc should be related to SNII (it would make more sense if they were related to SNIa), the naming convention is based on historical supernova classifications that are still used by astronomers today.