NGC 3372  Keyhole Nebula   26 December 2003
  12" LX200 GPS 7.5 minutes with SXV-H9 at f6.3 Unbinned,
   Acquired and processed in Maxim DL/CCD. Stretched and mild Unsharp Mask

 

OBJECT NAME(s):	NGC 3372 / Eta Carinae Nebula /  Keyhole Nebula
OBJECT TYPE:	Dark Nebula
CONSTELLATION:	Carinae
MAGNITUDE:	6.0
SIZE:	The whole Eta Carinae Nebula is 120' x 120'
DISTANCE:	About 7000 Light Years
NOTES:	NGC 3372 is much larger than the more famous Orion Nebula. It is rich in nebulous detail and regions formed of bright and dark interstellar matter. Among the most conspicuous nebulous features are the Keyhole Nebula, formed by its brightest part and darker material. This part is what is pictured above along with the unusual star Eta Carinae. (The large white star bottom left of centre)