Infrared view of the Carina Nebula. The bright star at the center of the nebula is Eta Carinae, one of the most massive stars in
Infrared view of the Carina Nebula. The bright star at the center of the nebula is Eta Carinae, one of the most massive stars in the galaxy. Its blinding glare is sculpting and destroying the surrounding nebula. Eta Carinae is a true giant of a star. It is around 100 times the mass of our sun and is burning its nuclear fuel so quickly that it is at least one million times brighter than the sun. The infrared light from the star destroys particles of dust, sculpting cavities and leaving pillars of denser material that point back to the star. This infrared view lets us see the dust, shown in red, as well as clouds of hot, glowing gas that appear green.
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