Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)

Carina Nebula or Eta Carinae Nebula (NGC 3372) also known as the Great Carina Nebula is a large, complex area of brigth and dark nebulosity in the constellation Carina and is located in the Carina – Sagittarius Arm of Milky Way. The nebula is approximately 8,500 ly from Earth.

The nebula has within its boundaries the large Carina OB1 association and several related open clusters, including numerous O-type stars and several Wolf -Rayet stars.

The nebula is one of the largest diffuse nebulae in our skies. Although it is four times as large as and even brighter than the famous Orion Nebula, the Carina Nebula is much less well known due to its location in the southern sky. It was discovered by Nicolas – Louis de Lacaille in 1752 from the Cape of Good Hope.

Location: RA: 10h 45m 08.5s DEC: −59° 52′ 04″

Apparent magnitude: +1.0

Apparent dimension: 120 x 120 arcmin