Posted on 03/23/2016 2:50:03 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit and Copyright: Damian Peach/SEN]
Carina? That’s where Tschai is.
That Eta Carinae got the designation "eta" shows it was once much brighter than it is now--eta is the 7th letter in the Greek alphabet, but Carina is part of the wreckage of Argo. When the letters were bestowed, Argo was one constellation, so Eta Carinae was perceived to be the 7th-brightest star in the batch (which included Puppis and Vela, maybe one or two other constellations).
That Eta Carinae got the designation "eta" shows it was once much brighter than it is now--eta is the 7th letter in the Greek alphabet, but Carina is part of the wreckage of Argo. When the letters were bestowed, Argo was one constellation, so Eta Carinae was perceived to be the 7th-brightest star in the batch (which included Puppis and Vela, maybe one or two other constellations).
Thanks VR!
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