An animated gif shows a yellow circle with a black dot in its center on an orange background. The cicle appears to be emanating a greenish material. A red, comet-like object with a black dot at its head spirals in toward the center of the yellow circle.

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In this supercomputer simulation, the stars of Eta Carinae are shown as black dots. Lighter colors indicate greater densities in the stellar winds produced by each star. At closest approach, the fast wind of the smaller star carves a tunnel in the thicker wind of the larger star.

Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/T. Madura
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Image CreditNASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/T. Madura
Size320x320px