                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2024 February 5
   A star field strewn with filaments of dust and gas is shown: the center
   of the Carina Nebula. Shown in colors emitted by specific elements, the
   frame shows blue gas around the edges and orange and red colored gas in
   the center. Dark dust laces the busy frame. Please see the explanation
                       for more detailed information.

                      In the Core of the Carina Nebula
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Carlos Taylor

   Explanation: What's happening in the core of the Carina Nebula? Stars
   are forming, dying, and leaving an impressive tapestry of dark dusty
   filaments. The entire Carina Nebula, cataloged as NGC 3372, spans over
   300 light years and lies about 8,500 light-years away in the
   constellation of Carina. The nebula is composed predominantly of
   hydrogen gas, which emits the pervasive red and orange glows seen
   mostly in the center of this highly detailed featured image. The blue
   glow around the edges is created primarily by a trace amount of glowing
   oxygen. Young and massive stars located in the nebula's center expel
   dust when they explode in supernovas. Eta Carinae, the most energetic
   star in the nebula's center, was one of the brightest stars in the sky
   in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically.

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