Explanation:
What dark forms lurk in the mists of the Carina Nebula?
These ominous figures are actually
molecular clouds,
knots of molecular gas and
dust so thick they have become
opaque.
In comparison, however,
these clouds are typically much less dense than
Earth's atmosphere.
Pictured above is part of the most detailed image of the
Carina Nebula ever taken, a part where dark
molecular clouds are particularly prominent.
The image has recently been
retaken and then re-colored based on light emitted by oxygen.
The entire
Carina Nebula
spans over 300
light years
and lies about 7,500 light-years away in the
constellation of Carina.
NGC 3372, known as the Great Nebula in Carina,
is home to massive stars and changing nebula.
Eta Carinae, the most energetic star in the nebula, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then
faded dramatically.
Wide-field annotated and zoomable versions of the larger image composite are also available.
