JWST spots dust-cloaked 'red supergiant' star just before it went supernova

The James Webb Space Telescope detected a dust-enshrouded red supergiant star just before it exploded as supernova SN 2025pht, providing unprecedented insights into stellar evolution.

• The red supergiant star, identified as the progenitor of supernova SN 2025pht, was previously obscured in infrared light and only visible through the James Webb Space Telescope.
• Located in the spiral galaxy NGC 1637, the discovery highlights JWSTs capabilities, revealing details that the Hubble Space Telescope could not capture prior to the explosion.
• This event marks a significant moment for astronomers, including those from Northwestern University, as it provides data on the lifecycle of massive stars and their explosive deaths.