Explanation: What's happening in the center of the Carina Nebula? Stars are forming, dying, and leaving an impressive tapestry of dark dusty filaments. The entire Carina Nebula, cataloged as NGC 3372, spans over 300 light years and lies about 8,500 light-years away in the constellation of Carina. The nebula is composed predominantly of hydrogen gas, which emits the pervasive red glow seen in this highly detailed featured image. The blue glow in the center is created by a trace amount of glowing oxygen. Young and massive stars located in the nebula's center expel dust when they explode in supernovae. Eta Carinae, the most energetic star in the nebula's center, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically.
Re: APOD: The Great Nebula in Carina (2019 May 07)
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 8:36 am
by JohnD
That is the most unpleasant astronomical pic I've seen! The choice of colour and the contours make it look like an ulcer.
Irrelevant, I know, to scientific value, but anyway.
JOhn
Re: APOD: The Great Nebula in Carina (2019 May 07)
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 11:43 am
by sillyworm 2
The story behind the fading of the central star is very interesting.
Re: APOD: The Great Nebula in Carina (2019 May 07)
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 12:03 pm
by orin stepanek
Aw; I liked it! Our galaxy pretty young; still making babies( Stars)!
Re: APOD: The Great Nebula in Carina (2019 May 07)
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 12:13 pm
by Ann
orin stepanek wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 12:03 pm
Aw; I liked it! Our galaxy pretty young; still making babies( Stars)!
Thanks, Orin! I like your positive comments. I don't have one right now, so I'm glad to see yours!
Yeah I wish they would allow more smilies!
Thanks for the compliment! I think it is awesome that they post these wonderful pictures in the first place! Who am I to be a critique!
Re: APOD: The Great Nebula in Carina (2019 May 07)