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 centre of the Carina Nebula. Shown in 
colours emitted by specific elements, the frame shows
blue gas around the edges and orange and red coloured
gas in the centre. 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, catalogued 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 centre 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 centre expel dust when they explode in supernovas. Eta Carinae, the most energetic star in the nebula's centre, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically.

Your Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (post 1995)
Tomorrow's picture: hubble / webb


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