Supernova Candidates (2) ...

The figure below shows a Chandra X-ray Telescope image of the region surrounding Eta Carinae. The inset compares the region of the optical image shown above with the new X-ray image.

The large horseshoe shaped ring in the X-ray image is about 2 light years in diameter and emits X-rays because it has a temperature of about 3 million K. It appears to be gas and dust emitted in an outburst more than 1000 years ago. The blue central region of the X-ray image is much hotter and about 3 light months in diameter. It is thought to be associated with the outburst seen in the optical image of about 150 years ago. The central bright white spot in the X-ray image is hotter still. It is less than a light month in diameter and may contain the star itself.