JWST NIRSpec observations of SN 1987A

As the most nearby SN in the era of modern telescopes, SN 1987A has provided us with a unique observational record of the birth and early evolution of an SNR. JWST has recently opened a new window on this iconic object. I will present results from JWST NIRSpec observations obtained in 2022 and 2024, which provide spatially resolved spectroscopy over the full 1-5 micron wavelength range. The most recent observations have higher spectral resolution and give new insights regarding the asymmetric 3D morphology of the ejecta, as well as the ionization of the innermost ejecta by the compact object. A comparison of the two observing epochs also reveals strong temporal evolution in the regions where the metal-rich inner ejecta have started to interact with the circumstellar ring.