A star about to explode photographed by the James Webb Telescope

BET À DAY

NASA's James Webb Telescope has managed to capture images of a rare space phenomenon, the transformation of a star into a supernova 15,000 light years from Earth. 

The US space agency has released two photos showing a star it has named WR 124, a Wolf-Rayer type star.

It is 'a star that reaches a stage in its supernova transition where it briefly expels matter around its core as a high-velocity wind before exploding, forming a supernova.

Matter projected into space constitutes the hues of purple and red that can be observed in NASA photos.

This is the first time that this phenomenon has been captured in such detail, thanks to the James Telescope Webb.

“The detailed images of WR 124 captured by Webb forever preserve a brief and turbulent moment of transformation and promise discoveries that will elucidate the mysteries of cosmic dust,” NASA said in a statement.

These new images will allow NASA researchers to study the specifics of the cosmic dust thrown up by the star, taking advantage of the sensor infrared from the James Webb telescope.

“Stardust is integral to the functioning of the universe, we continue. It helps stars form, bands together to form planets, and serves as a platform for molecules to form and stick together – including life on Earth.”

They will also learn more about the beginning of the history of the universe.