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JWST Reveals Novae Mergers Create Supermassive Stars

1/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) found that luminous red novae mergers create supermassive stars similar to red supergiants.
The team analyzed nine luminous red novae, focusing on AT 2011kp and AT 1997bs, to study the mergers' remnants.
JWST observations years after the mergers show the remnants are cooler and larger than expected.
The dust produced is rich in carbon compounds, reinforcing that humans are made of 'stardust'.

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Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) found that luminous red novae mergers create supermassive stars similar to red supergiants.
The team analyzed nine luminous red novae, focusing on AT 2011kp and AT 1997bs, to study the mergers' remnants.
JWST observations years after the mergers show the remnants are cooler and larger than expected.
The dust produced is rich in carbon compounds, reinforcing that humans are made of 'stardust'.