A study spearheaded by Costa Rican scientist André Oliva offers a new understanding of how massive stars form. The research proposes that proto-stellar jets play a crucial role in regulating the rotation of these stars during their early development. Previously, the mechanism controlling the spin of massive stars – which impacts their lifespan and eventual fate – remained a significant astrophysical puzzle. Oliva’s work suggests these jets act as a braking system, slowing the star’s rotation to a stable rate. This discovery provides insights into the formation of some of the universe’s largest and brightest stars. The findings have been published and are contributing to a more complete picture of stellar evolution.