Image Credit: 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 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.
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