SN2021afdx: The Astronomical Number of Supernovae

This article chronicles the evolution of supernova naming conventions and the rapid advancement of modern astronomical observation technology. From the past, when only a handful of supernovae were discovered annually, to the present day, where tens of thousands are discovered each year, this is thanks to powerful telescopes and automated observation and analysis software. SN2021afdx, mentioned in the article, indicates it was the 21,760th supernova observed in 2021—an incredible number. The article concludes with a thought-provoking reflection: dozens of supernovae erupt every second in the universe, and our exploration of the cosmos is only just beginning.