Astrophysical transients, such as massive stars exploding as supernovae (SNe) are the spotlights of the universe, which is filled with tiny solid particles, cosmic dust, of unknown origin. Such dust absorbs and deflects this light and distorts our view of the visible universe. However, the mechanism of dust formation in SNe and reprocessing in the interstellar medium is complex and remains unclear. I will discuss current 'dusty' challenges and what we have learned from recent observations of dust in SNe and galaxies at various points in cosmic time. I will also address how circumventing complex dust extinction in deriving precise distances from Type Ia supernovae - thermonuclear explosions - can be a promising strategy for future cosmology.