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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Обреченная звезда η Киля http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1352091/eng |
Credit & Copyright: J. Morse
(Arizona State U.),
K. Davidson
(U. Minnesota) et al.,
WFPC2,
HST,
NASA
Explanation:
Eta Carinae may be about to explode.
But no one knows when - it may be
next year, it may be one million years from now.
Eta Carinae's mass - about
100 times greater than our Sun -
makes it an excellent candidate for a full blown supernova.
Historical records do show that about 150 years ago Eta Carinae underwent an unusual outburst
that made it one of the brightest stars in the southern sky.
Eta Carinae, in the
Keyhole Nebula, is the only
star currently
thought to emit natural LASER light.
This featured image, taken in 1996, brought out new details in the
unusual nebula that surrounds
this
rogue star.
Now clearly visible are two distinct lobes, a hot central region, and strange radial streaks.
The lobes are
filled with lanes
of gas and
dust which absorb the blue and
ultraviolet light emitted near the center.
The streaks remain unexplained.
Free APOD Lectures: Editor to Speak in January in
Philadelphia
and
New York City
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.