Astronomers have used light from an exploding star to study a galaxy an astonishing 9.5 billion light-years away.  The new data, obtained in part at the MMT Observatory, uses the unique signatures of a distant ultra-luminous supernova to determine the interstellar conditions in the galaxy.  This is the first demonstration of such a technique and shows much promise for future studies of the early universe.  To read more, click here.