This visualization showcases the multiwavelength emissions and three-dimensional structures surrounding Eta Carinae, one of the most massive and eruptive stars in our galaxy.
Two of NASA’s Great Observatories, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, have observed Eta Carinae using visible, ultraviolet, and x-ray light, as well as in the Hydrogen Alpha emission line. These 2D portraits have been modeled by astronomers and artists to create a 3D visualization that brings the telescope images to life.
The sequence presents the layered model one wavelength region at a time, and builds up the complex nested structure. The viewer gets a full 360-degree view and can assemble a complete mental model that aids interpretation of the NASA observations.
Credits: J. Olmsted, D. Player, L. Hustak, J. DePasquale, G. Bacon, F. Summers (STScI), NASA, ESA
Images: J. Morse (BoldlyGo Inst), N. Smith (U Arizona), NASA, ESA, STScI, CXC
Music: “Sleepy Frieda”, Maarten Schellekens, CC BY-NC 4.0