It wasn’t until NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) turned its eye to the scene that the story took an unexpected turn.

In May 2020, astronomers observed a planetary engulfment for the first time that they believed was caused by a star expanding to become a red giant–swallowing an orbiting planet in the process.

Webb has two decades ahead of it, but it's already captured some stunning images. Here are 35 of our favorites.

Planets are eaten by dying stars as they turn into red giants and expand. Earth will be eaten by the sun in billions of years ...

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope believe they've made the first detection of a star swallowing a planet — ...

“Christian texts mention that the moon turned to blood after Jesus’s crucifixion — potentially referring to a lunar eclipse, ...

Photographer extraordinaire Don Pettit is about to return to Earth following a seven-month stay aboard the space station. Take a moment to enjoy his best work.