In 1987, a star in a nearby galaxy went supernova, captivating astronomers and stargazers alike with its fiery demise visible to Earth for months. Now, more than three decades later, scientists have finally confirmed the fate of this spectacular event: the star collapsed into a neutron star, one of the most enigmatic objects in the universe.

The discovery was made possible by NASA's Webb Space Telescope, which cut through the debris left behind by the supernova to reveal two telltale chemical signatures - argon and sulfur - of a pulsing super-hot neutron star. This neutron star, only 12 miles in diameter but weighing 1 1/2 times our sun, is densely packed with little space between its atoms, making it one of the densest objects in the universe.

Lead author Claes Fransson, an astrophysicist at Stockholm University, described the aftermath of the supernova as "a ring of pearls" encircling a cloud of dust, with the neutron star hidden somewhere in the middle. While scientists had long suspected the collapsed core to be a neutron star, the measurement by the Webb telescope provides a definitive answer.

This discovery is significant not only for understanding the nature of neutron stars but also for shedding light on the early stages of their formation. According to Fransson, this is likely the only time modern astronomy has witnessed the birth and early years of a neutron star, making it a rare and valuable opportunity for researchers.

Stanford University astrophysicist Roger Blandford praised the findings, stating that the supernova explosion of 1987 continues to provide valuable insights into various aspects of astrophysics, including the evolution of stars and the behavior of neutrinos.

Overall, this discovery marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the universe and the mysterious objects that inhabit it, providing astronomers with valuable insights into the cosmic processes that shape our world.