Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) and the star Eta Carinae (upper centre), composite image. Eta Carinae is a variable hypergiant star. This region is 10,000 li

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Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) and the star Eta Carinae (upper centre), composite image. Eta Carinae is a variable hypergiant star. This region is 10,000 light years from Earth, in the constellation of Carina. This composite image combines data in infrared (red and green) and optical (blue). The infrared data is from the IRAC instrument on the Spitzer Space Telescope and 2MASS (Two Micron All Sky Survey). The optical data is from the DSS (Digitized Sky Survey). This allows study of the structure of the nebula. Red areas are hidden behind dark clouds of dust in visible light. Blue areas are not obscured by dust. Image published in 2011.

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Size: 3070px × 2917px
Photo credit: © NASA/JPL-CALTECH/M. POVICH (PENN STATE UNIV)/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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