Eta Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)

clic here for 30% size 2208 x 1474 (2300 kB)

Clic here for 60% size 4416x2944 (6600 kB)

 

About this Image

The Eta Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) is a large bright nebula that has within its boundaries several related open clusters of stars. The nebula is one of the largest diffuse nebulae in our skies. Although it is some four times as large and even brighter than the famous Orion Nebula.
Situated in the center of the image there is Eta Carinae, a highly luminous hypergiant star. Estimates of its mass range from 100 to 150 times the mass of the Sun, and its luminosity is about four million times that of the Sun.
 


Technical Details

Optics

Takahashi FSQ-85, FL 450mm

Mount Chart32 fork mount piggyback
Camera Nikon D810A with remote timer
Date Jan 2015
Location CTIO Chile
Sky Conditions mag 21.5 sky, temperature 10-15 C
Exposure 8x5 min at ISO800 and 3x5 min at ISO100 combined
Programs used ImagesPlus
CCDStack
Photoshop CS5