Cosmic Scale
Carina Nebula
Star-forming nebula · 8,500 light-years
How big is Carina Nebula?
Carina Nebula is about 460 light-years across.
See Carina Nebula in 3D, at true scale
The Carina Nebula is one of the largest and brightest star-forming clouds in the Milky Way, four times as large as the Orion Nebula. It is packed with some of the most massive stars known, including Eta Carinae.
At a glance
| Diameter | 460 light-years |
|---|---|
| Diameter compared with Earth | 3.4 × 10¹¹ × Earth |
| Distance | 8,500 light-years |
| Size | About 460 light-years |
| Famous resident | Eta Carinae |
| Seen from | The southern sky |
Good to know
- Webb's first images in 2022 included its 'Cosmic Cliffs'.
- It contains clusters only half a million years old.
- It is easily visible to the naked eye from the southern hemisphere.
- Next smaller: Omega Centauri · 150 light-years
- Next larger: Tarantula Nebula · 1,000 light-years