Supernova

A small portion of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant, 1991. (Source: NatGeo)

According to Brighter Child: 

It is a massive star that ends its life with a huge explosion.  Such explosion occurs when the star begins to run out of fuel – it cannot resist the force of its own gravity and rapidly collapses in on itself.

There were supernova explosions observed in 1054, 1572, 1604 and 1987.  Also 1991, as shown above.

After a supernova explosion, the core of the star shrinks until it becomes a black hole.