Homunculus Nebula

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The Homunculus Nebula is an emission nebula surrounding the massive star Eta Carinae. The nebula is embedded within a much larger H II region, the Eta Carinae Nebula.

The Homunculus (which is from the Latin meaning Little Man) is believed to have been ejected in an enormous outburst which Eta Carinae underwent in 1841. Following this outburst, Eta Carinae became the second-brightest star in the sky after Sirius, but since this time, the gas and dust it ejected has obscured much of its light. Future eruptions are still a possibility.