Astronomers Trace Massive Star's Death from First Explosive Moment with SALT

A rare cosmic explosion, detected in March 2026, has provided astronomers with an unprecedented view of a massive star's final moments. Observations from the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and other facilities helped unravel the nature of this event, designated SN 2026gzf. The findings reveal a previously missing link between ordinary supernovae and the most energetic explosions in the Universe, suggesting a new pathway for how massive stars end their lives.