The season is beginning to photograph one of the largest nebulae in our galaxy. Eta Carinae is the most massive star system in our galaxy, at least within a radius of 10,000 light years. Studies suggest that the system actually consists of two massive stars, one with 90 times the mass of the Sun and the other with at least 30 solar masses. The two stars are in the final stages of their lives and their behavior shows that there is little left for them to explode in an event much more intense than a supernova, or two in this case.
The size and luminosity of the star is so big, but so big that, if it were in the place of Sirius (which is the biggest star visible in the sky), it would shine like a full moon.
The nebula itself is rich in dark nebulae, small star clusters and lots of stardust.
And there’s a detail: it’s a privilege only for those who lives in the southern hemisphere!
Specs:
20 images of 300s each, calibrated with darks, flats and darkflats
ASI294MC Pro + Antlia ALT-P filter
APO William Optics Zenithstar 81mm
Ioptron GEM45 Equatorial mount
Cesario Lange – SP | Brazil
Stacked and processed with PixInsight