Hubble image archive

Eta Carinae Light Echo Region - March 10, 2003

The double-star system Eta Carinae, about 120 times more massive than the Sun, produced a spectacular outburst that was seen on Earth from 1837 to 1858. This image shows an area near Eta Carinae that is not illuminated by the double-star system's outburst. The image was taken in...

Date
Jan 1, 2012
Mission
Hubble Space Telescope
Archive ID
hubblesite-images-2012-12-2999-image
By

The double-star system Eta Carinae, about 120 times more massive than the Sun, produced a spectacular outburst that was seen on Earth from 1837 to 1858. This image shows an area near Eta Carinae that is not illuminated by the double-star system's outburst. The image was taken in March 2003 with the NOAO Optical Astronomy Observatory's Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.

Credits

NOAO, AURA, NSF, and N. Smith (University of Arizona)

Image Details

About The Object
Object NameEta Carinae (Eta Car) Light Echo
Object DescriptionLight Echo Caused by the Massive/Variable Star Eta Car
R.A. Position10h 44m 12.12s
Dec. Position-60° 16' 1.69"
ConstellationCarina
Distance7,500 light-years (2,300 parsecs)
About The Data
Data DescriptionThe science team studying the Eta Car light echo was led by A. Rest (STScI). This single-filter image of the light echo was taken in 2003 with the CTIO 4-m Blanco telescope.
InstrumentCTIO 4-m Blanco telescope
Exposure DatesMarch 10, 2003

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