Free Astronomy Magazine November-December 2025

40 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2025 ASTRO PUBLISHING Rare stellar blast reveals a heavy-element core by Keck Observatory Meagan O’Shea F or the first time, scientists have confirmed a new subclass of ex- ploding star, made possible by spectral data captured by the W. M. Keck Observatory atop Maunakea, Hawai ‘ i Island. The discovery chal- lenges existing models of stellar evo- lution, revealing new pathways for how massive stars end their lives. “This is the first time we have seen a star that was essentially stripped to the bone,” said Steve Schulze, lead author and research associate at Northwestern University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and