NGC3372, the Great Nebula of Carina
NGC 3372, also known as the Great Nebula in Carina, is one of the largest in our Milky Way galaxy. It is
several times larger than the Orion Nebula, but unfortunately, it is not visible from North America due to
its southern declination (about -60 degrees). I took this image using one of the GRAS telescopes
located in southern Australia (TAK FSQ 106 refractor, SBIG STL11K camera and a hydrogen alpha
filter). The total exposure time was 55 minutes. Telescope control was through the Internet.
This star forming nebula has produced the star Eta Carinae, which is among the most massive and
luminous stars in our Milky Way, and perhaps in the universe. It is about 60 -100 times the mass of our
sun and may produce 6 million times as much light. In this image it is near the center and is the
brightest star in the nebula. The Keyhole Nebula, also visible near the center, houses several other
massive stars. NGC3372 is about 7000 - 9000 light-years away in the constellation of Carina.
several times larger than the Orion Nebula, but unfortunately, it is not visible from North America due to
its southern declination (about -60 degrees). I took this image using one of the GRAS telescopes
located in southern Australia (TAK FSQ 106 refractor, SBIG STL11K camera and a hydrogen alpha
filter). The total exposure time was 55 minutes. Telescope control was through the Internet.
This star forming nebula has produced the star Eta Carinae, which is among the most massive and
luminous stars in our Milky Way, and perhaps in the universe. It is about 60 -100 times the mass of our
sun and may produce 6 million times as much light. In this image it is near the center and is the
brightest star in the nebula. The Keyhole Nebula, also visible near the center, houses several other
massive stars. NGC3372 is about 7000 - 9000 light-years away in the constellation of Carina.
