Using the James Webb telescope, astronomers peered into an ancient quasar — the dazzling heart of a galaxy where a giant black hole sucks in matter. It turns out it doesn't just destroy, but also creates: its powerful outflows and shock waves act like a true cosmic mill. They grind cosmic dust particles into the finest powder, just like ordinary sand, but pulverized to microscopic sizes.

And here's an unexpected twist: the telescope didn't spot the characteristic spectral feature that gives away carbon dust — which is almost everywhere. It seems this mill is selective: it only processes silicates, ignoring carbon.