What is the difference between a Type Ic supernova and a Type II supernova?

A supernova is a powerful and luminous stellar explosion that occurs when a star runs out of nuclear fuel and its core collapses under its own gravitational pull. There are several types of supernovae, with Types I and II being the most common.

Type I supernovae are further divided into three subtypes - Ia, Ib, and Ic - based on the presence or absence of hydrogen and helium in the star's outer layers. Type Ic supernovae are similar to Type Ib supernovae, but lack both helium and hydrogen in their outer layers.

Type II supernovae, on the other hand, are characterized by the presence of hydrogen in their outer layers, which leads to distinct spectral features in their light curves.

Overall, the main difference between Type Ic and Type II supernovae lies in the composition of their outer layers. Type Ic supernovae lack both helium and hydrogen, while Type II supernovae contain hydrogen. This difference has important implications for our understanding of the evolution and fate of massive stars.