Eta Carinae in X-Rays
Eta Carinae is the one of the most luminous star systems in our Galaxy , radiating millions of times more power than our Sun . Eta Carinae is also one of the strangest star systems known, brightening and fading greatly since the early 1800s. Recently, the Chandra Observatory observed Eta Carinae in X-ray light , adding even more unanticipated pieces to this enigmatic puzzle. Pictured above , a horseshoe-shaped outer ring about two light-years across has been discovered surrounding a hot core measuring three light-months across. One thing appears likely: these structures were caused by collisions involving matter expelled from the center at supersonic speeds. Speculation continues that Eta Carinae will be seen to undergo a supernova explosion sometime in the next thousand years.