Eta Carinae Is Farther Than You Thought: 8,500 Light-Years

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Thread starter CygnusX-1
Start date Aug 7, 2018

Aug 7, 2018

CygnusX-1

That also means it's 25-30% more luminous than previously thought. The new work is based on Gaia parallaxes of stars associated with Eta Carinae: more here.

Astronomy news on Phys.org

Aug 7, 2018

fresh_42

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Isn't it also a Gamma ray burst candidate pointing towards us? So the further away the better.

1. How far is Eta Carinae?

Eta Carinae is approximately 8,500 light-years away from Earth.

2. How do scientists measure the distance of Eta Carinae?

Scientists use a variety of methods to measure the distance of stars, including parallax measurements and the use of standard candles such as Cepheid variable stars. In the case of Eta Carinae, its distance has been calculated using parallax measurements from the Hubble Space Telescope.

3. Is Eta Carinae the farthest star from Earth?

No, Eta Carinae is not the farthest star from Earth. There are many other stars and galaxies that are much farther away, with some estimated to be billions of light-years away.

4. How long does it take for light to travel from Eta Carinae to Earth?

Since Eta Carinae is 8,500 light-years away from Earth, it would take 8,500 years for light to travel from the star to our planet. This means that the light we see from Eta Carinae today actually left the star 8,500 years ago.

5. Why is it important to accurately measure the distance of Eta Carinae?

Accurately measuring the distance of Eta Carinae, and other stars, is crucial for understanding the size and scale of the universe. It also helps scientists better understand the life cycles of stars and their impact on the surrounding galaxies.