The distant supernova, as seen by Webb’s NIRCam.

The Webb Space Telescope recently imaged Supernova 1987A (SN 1987A), one of the brightest supernovae in the night sky and the nearest observed in centuries, according to NASA.

The image spans 8.5 light years and was taken in September 2022, but was only published today. It is composed of several exposures taken by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and reveals the supernova’s equatorial and outer rings, its crescent, and its inner ejecta (or “keyhole”), the dense core of which not even Webb’s sharp sights can pierce.

Read more

• Celine Dion's Sister Gives Health Update: 'There's Little We Can Do to...Alleviate Her Pain'

• September Is A Stellar Month For Some Video Gaming

• Starfield's Controversial Missing PC Feature Already Modded Into The Game

• How to Get Money From the Panda Express Settlement

• Ruby Franke, Popular Parenting YouTuber, Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse

The supernova emits a range of electromagnetic radiation, from long radio waves to short, energetic gamma rays. The Webb observations (as NIRCam’s name suggests) captured near-infrared light from the supernova remnant. Webb’s high resolution revealed crescent structures that are likely outer layers of gas produced by the supernova.

While Webb hasn’t looked at SN 1987A before, it has observed other dusty supernovae. In SN 2004et, Webb saw “the highest dust mass detected in supernovae since SN 1987A,” according to Ori Fox, an STScI project lead who helped produce observations of two supernovae that were published last month.

There are still outstanding questions about SN 1987A, including what happened to the star at the supernova’s center. Whether it’s scrutinizing this supernova or looking elsewhere, future observations by Webb will likely help uncover the truth.

More: Webb Telescope Spots Potential Fuel for Early Universe in Supernovae Debris

More from Gizmodo

• It Looks Like Starfield Has Major Accessibility Problems

• Ford Is Offering Nearly $3,000 To Maverick Buyers Who Never Had Their Orders Filled: Report

• Texas Republicans Are Targeting Highways Now to Stop Out-of-State Abortions

• Weary Ridiculousness writers include "please make other shows" in their list of union demands

• Formula 1's Permanent Las Vegas Grand Prix Paddock Is Not Named After Vegas Shooter Stephen Paddock

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.