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Credit & Copyright: Damian Peach/SEN
Explanation:
In one of the brightest parts of
Milky Way lies a nebula where some of the oddest things
occur.
NGC 3372, known as the
Great Nebula in Carina,
is home to massive stars and changing nebulas.
The Keyhole
Nebula (NGC 3324),
the bright structure just above the image center,
houses several of these massive stars and has itself
changed its appearance.
The entire Carina Nebula
spans over 300 light years and lies about 7,500 light-years away in the
constellation of Carina.
Eta Carinae, the
most energetic star
in the nebula,
was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but
then faded
dramatically.
Eta
Carinae is the brightest star
near the
image center,
just left of the Keyhole Nebula.
While Eta Carinae itself maybe on the verge of a supernova explosion,
X-ray
images indicate that much of the Great Carina Nebula has been a veritable
supernova
factory.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Carina - star formation
Publications with words: Carina - star formation
See also: