What comes after the red supergiant stage in the life cycle of a massive star?

• A. Black Hole
• B. White Dwarf
• C. Planetary Nebula
• D. Supernova

Answer: (D)

In massive star evolution, the red supergiant stage ends when the core collapses under gravity. This collapse triggers a dramatic explosion known as a supernova, blasting the outer layers into space and often leaving behind a compact remnant such as a neutron star or black hole. So the immediate next major event is the supernova. White dwarfs and planetary nebulae come from much less massive stars, not from red supergiants, and while a black hole can be the final outcome after a supernova, the explosion itself is the next stage that occurs right after the red supergiant phase.