Context:
Astronomers are closely monitoring Eta Carinae, as it may be on the verge of a spectacular explosion.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Eta Carinae:
- Eta Carinae is classified as a hypergiant star, with a mass around 100 times greater than that of the Sun.
- This star resides approximately 7,500 light-years away within the Carina Nebula, positioning it among the most massive and luminous stars known, making it a prime candidate for a future supernova event.
- About 170 years ago, Eta Carinae experienced a massive outburst known as the Great Eruption, which momentarily made it one of the brightest stars visible from the southern hemisphere.
- This event led to the formation of the Homunculus Nebula, an iconic hourglass-shaped cloud of gas and dust encircling the star.
Unique Characteristics:
- Uniquely, Eta Carinae is the only star known to emit natural laser light, enhancing its mysterious nature.
- The Hubble Space Telescope has captured detailed imagery of the nebula surrounding Eta Carinae, featuring intriguing phenomena like diffraction spikes and radial streaks that remain unexplained.
- The eventual supernova of Eta Carinae is anticipated to be a monumental astronomical event, possibly surpassing the brilliance of any other recorded supernova, including SN 2006gy.
- The supernova of Eta Carinae, when it occurs, is expected to be a spectacular visual event from Earth, providing critical data for understanding the life cycles of massive stars.
-Source: The Hindu
