Images taken by the Alma Radio Telescope in Chile have revealed the formation of space dust particles in a supernova 168 thousand light years away from Earth.

Images taken by the Alma Radio Telescope in Chile have revealed the formation of space dust particles in a supernova 168 thousand light years away from Earth.

Experts have long hypothesized that space dust is formed by exploding stars called supernovas, but this is the first time that telescopic images have proven that theory.

By observing the progress of the supernova 1987A using before and after images, astronomers were able to identify an increase in the amount of surrounding space dust as more and more of the mass of the star turns to dust.

Mikako Matsuura, a scientist associated with the study from University College London, is quoted as saying: “Today we know dust can be created in several ways, but in the early universe most of it must have come from supernovas. We finally have direct evidence to support that theory.”

Space dust is an important part of the formation of galaxies, so observing how it is created will help astronomers further understand the processes that occur in deep space.