This visualization showcases the multiwavelength emissions and three-dimensional structures surrounding Eta Carinae, one of the most massive and eruptive star systems in our galaxy.
This unannotated version contains a simple rotation of the 3D model at each wavelength of light. This sequence is designed so it may be utilized as source material for other astronomy video productions.
For the full science video, refer to Eta Carinae: The Great Eruption of a Massive Star.
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