The Chandra Carina complex project
Monday, May 16, 2011 - 09:30
in Astronomy & Space
(PhysOrg.com) -- The Great Nebula in the constellation of Carina is a massive star-forming complex located about 7.5 thousand light-years away. The main star in the complex, Eta Carinae, shines brightly in the southern sky. Its ensemble of stellar clusters are young and hot, with ages that range from less than about one million years to about six million years. Altogether, the region contains one of the richest concentrations of massive young stars in the galaxy. In addition, the region is rich in non-stellar material including filaments, pillars, cavities, arcs, and other features indicative of a turbulent and complex history.