JWST Catches Red Supergiant Star on the Brink of Catastrophic Explosion

Breaking News: JWST Uncovers Hidden Red Supergiant Just Before Explosion On October 9, 2025, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing a massive red supergiant star just before it exploded. According to research from Northwestern University, the star was hidden beneath layers of cosmic dust until JWST's infrared eyes pierced through the veil. The Findings A team of astronomers led by Charles Kilpatrick at Northwestern University analyzed data from JWST and Hubble Space Telescope observations of spiral galaxy NGC 1637. The study revealed that the red supergiant, previously undetectable in visible light, was visible only in infrared wavelengths captured by JWST. Timeline July 2025: Hubble Space Telescope observes the explosion's aftermath. October 9, 2025: JWST data analysis reveals the hidden star just before its explosion. Immediate Impact and Response This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of massive stars and their life cycles. "The finding shows that many massive stars do explode but are obscured from view until now," said Kilpatrick. The research team is eager to continue studying this phenomenon, which may lead to new insights into the universe's most powerful events. Background Context Red supergiants are among the largest and most luminous stars in the universe. Their explosions, known as supernovae, can be seen from vast distances and have a profound impact on their surroundings. Until now, many of these events remained hidden due to cosmic dust obscuring our view. What Happens Next The research team will continue to analyze JWST data, exploring the properties of this newly discovered star and its explosion. This breakthrough has opened new avenues for studying massive stars and supernovae, potentially leading to a deeper understanding of the universe's most energetic events. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Sciencedaily reporting.*