Eleanor, a young astronomer in a small observatory in outback Australia, witnesses a nearby star going supernova. Seeking confirmation of her observation, she contacts the renowned Professor Penrose of the Mount Wilson Observatory in California. Despite being skeptical at first, he soon realizes that the supernova has set off a shockwave of radiation and high energy particles, which will strike the Earth in a matter of hours. He quickly warns the President, who, along with his Vice President Lynda and other foreign governments, take whatever precautions they can. After the shockwave has passed and the recovery phase begins, it becomes clear that the danger is still not over, as the death toll continues to rise unexplainably. A frantic race against time begins, as Edinburgh-based Sandra and other researchers worldwide try to uncover the mysterious cause of the deaths, and to find a cure, before it is too late. But what happens if they can't? Supernova is the debut novel by Dee Amos which sets up a fascinating "what if?" scenario by combining a fast-paced disaster-based story with strong female characters and some of today's hottest social, political and environmental issues.