Doomed Star Eta Carinae

Eta Carinae may be about to explode. But no one knows when - it may be next year, it may be one million years from now. Eta Carinae 's mass - about 100 times greater than our Sun - makes it an excellent candidate for a full blown supernova . Historical records do show that about 150 years ago Eta Carinae underwent an unusual outburst that made it one of the brightest stars in the southern sky . Eta Carinae , in the Keyhole Nebula , is the only star currently thought to emit natural LASER light . This featured image , taken in 1996, brought out new details in the unusual nebula that surrounds this rogue star . Now clearly visible are two distinct lobes, a hot central region , and strange radial streaks. The lobes are filled with lanes of gas and dust which absorb the blue and ultraviolet light emitted near the center. The streaks remain unexplained . Free APOD Lectures: Editor to Speak in January in Philadelphia and New York City