Astronomers have observed the final stages of a massive star’s destruction, revealing how its turbulent life shaped the explosion that followed. Most supernova observations begin after the explosion has already developed, leaving scientists with limited information about the star’s final preparation for destruction. The surrounding gas acted as a record of the star’s final period, showing that the massive object had experienced intense changes before its collapse. These observations help scientists understand how massive stars lose material, evolve, and prepare for their final transformation. Each new observation may help astronomers build a clearer picture of how massive stars evolve during the final stages of their existence.