Optical image of the Eta Carinae Nebula
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Optical image of the Eta Carinae Nebula
Eta Carinae Nebula. Optical image of the Eta Carinae Nebula (NGC 3372). It is an enormous cloud of hydrogen gas (an HII region) 300 light years across, which is ionised and lit up by the ultraviolet radiation of two clusters of young, hot stars. The dark regions in the nebula are clouds of interstellar dust which absorb the light emitted by stars in these areas. The nebula is about 9000 light years away, but still appears four times as wide as the Moon in the sky. In the brightest part of the nebula lies the variable star Eta Carinae (not identifiable here). It was the second-brightest visible star during 1833-45 before fading
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Media ID 6445659
© DR FRED ESPENAK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Cosmology Dust Eta Carinae Eta Carinae Nebula Evolution Hii Region Interstellar Absorption Ionised Hydrogen Nebula Star Birth Stellar Formation Ngc 3372
EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning print captures the awe-inspiring beauty of the Eta Carinae Nebula, a colossal cloud of hydrogen gas located 9000 light years away. Spanning an incredible distance of 300 light years across, this HII region is illuminated by the intense ultraviolet radiation emitted by two clusters of young, hot stars. The vibrant colors and intricate patterns visible in this optical image showcase the mesmerizing interplay between ionized gases and dark clouds of interstellar dust. As we gaze at this celestial masterpiece, it's hard not to be captivated by its sheer magnitude. Despite its immense distance from Earth, the Eta Carinae Nebula appears four times wider than our Moon when viewed in the night sky. Nestled within its brightest section lies Eta Carinae itself - a variable star that once held the title as the second-brightest visible star for over a decade before fading into obscurity. This photograph serves as a testament to both the grandeur and fragility of our universe. It reminds us that amidst vast expanses filled with stellar formations and cosmic evolution, there are still hidden mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Through scientific exploration and astronomical observations like these, we continue to deepen our understanding of how stars are born, galaxies evolve, and interstellar matter shapes our cosmos. Photo credit: Science Photo Library
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