Optical Light Curves of Supernovae

Summary Light curves are the most readily available and most frequently used astrophysical tools for variable phenomena. Supernovae are no exception to this. The information that can be extracted from detailed light and colors curves, together with the detailed study of the spectral evolution, tells us about the progenitor star, the various energy input sources, the explosion environment, material in the line of sight and cosmological effects. Over the past decade we have come to understand the power of detailed light curve studies and how they tie into the exploration of other astrophysical topics.