Carina Nebula in HOO

The Carina Nebula (also known as NGC 3372) is one of the most spectacular and massive star-forming regions in the Milky Way galaxy. Located in the constellation Carina in the southern sky, it is approximately 7,500 light-years away from Earth. It spans about 460 light-years, making it one of the largest diffuse nebulae visible in our galaxy. The nebula contains the hypergiant star Eta Carinae, one of the most massive and luminous stars known. Eta Carinae is unstable and experienced a famous outburst in the mid-19th century, temporarily becoming the second-brightest star in the sky. It’s expected to end in a supernova or hypernova in the future.