Dark Clouds of the Carina Nebula
What dark forms lurk in the mists of the Carina Nebula? These ominous figures are actually molecular clouds , knots of molecular gas and dust so thick they have become opaque . In comparison, however, these clouds are typically much less dense than Earth's atmosphere . Pictured above is part of the most detailed image of the Carina Nebula ever taken, a part where dark molecular clouds are particularly prominent. The image has recently been retaken and then re-colored based on light emitted by oxygen. The entire Carina Nebula spans over 300 light years and lies about 7,500 light-years away in the constellation of Carina. NGC 3372, known as the Great Nebula in Carina , is home to massive stars and changing nebula. Eta Carinae , the most energetic star in the nebula, was one of the brightest stars in the sky in the 1830s, but then faded dramatically . Wide-field annotated and zoomable versions of the larger image composite are also available.