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Eta Carinae Light Echo Brightening – February 6, 2011
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 the light from Eta Carinae's outburst illuminating the dust clouds near the doomed star system as it moves through them. The effect is like shining a flashlight on different regions of a vast cavern. The image was taken in February 2011 with the NOAO Optical Astronomy Observatory's Blanco 4-meter telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.10h 44m 12.12s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.-60° 16' 1.69"
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Carina
- DimensionsDimensionsThe physical size of the object or the apparent angle it subtends on the sky.7,500 light-years (2,300 parsecs)
About the Data
- Data DescriptionData DescriptionProposal: A description of the observations, their scientific justification, and the links to the data available in the science archive.
Science Team: The astronomers who planned the observations and analyzed the data. "PI" refers to the Principal Investigator.The 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 2011 with the CTIO 4-m Blanco telescope. - InstrumentInstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.CTIO 4-m Blanco telescope
- Exposure DatesExposure DatesThe date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time.February 6, 2011
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.Eta Carinae (Eta Car) Light Echo
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Light Echo Caused by the Massive/Variable Star Eta Car
- Release DateFebruary 15, 2012
- Science ReleaseAstronomers Watch Delayed Broadcast of a Powerful Stellar Eruption
- Credit
Related Images & Videos
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...
Eta Carinae Light Echo Brightening - May 10, 2010
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 the light from Eta Carinae's outburst illuminating the dust clouds near the doomed star system as it moves...
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Last Updated
Mar 28, 2025
Contact
Media
Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
