Frank Summers, Space Telescope Science Institute
Eta Carinae is the closest, best known, and most studied of the stars known as “supernova impostors”. After surviving a supernova-like brightening in the 1840’s, Eta Car faded away for the rest of the 19th century, and slowly grew more luminous over the 20th century. Modern observations across visible, ultraviolet, and x-ray wavelengths reveal complex, nested structures of gas and dust that resulted from the 1840’s Great Eruption and other outbursts from this massive star system. Dr. Summers will showcase a 3D visualization of these nebulae as well as delve into the colliding wind binary star at the core of this remarkable celestial object.
– News from the Universe starts at 3:21
– Main talk starts at 8:53
Recorded live on Tuesday, May 3, 2022
More information: www.stsci.edu/public-lectures