Model image of Cepheid L Carinae

Two model images of the Cepheid star L Carinae as deduced from the interferometric observations: in the near-infrared from VINCI measurements (left) and in the mid-infrared from MIDI (right). In both cases, an envelope is found to surround the star. The contribution from the envelope is about 5% in the near-infrared and significantly more in the thermal infrared. As L Carinae is 17,000 times brighter than the Sun, this means that its envelope alone is several hundred times brighter than our Sun!

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0609a
Type:Observation
Release date:28 February 2006
Related releases:eso0609
Size:1544 x 762 px

About the Object

Name:L Carinae
Type:Milky Way : Star : Type : Variable : Pulsating
Milky Way : Star : Type : Variable
Distance:2000 light years
Category:Stars

Image Formats

Large JPEG
110.4 KB
Screensize JPEG
59.0 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
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1280x1024
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1600x1200
138.4 KB
1920x1200
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2048x1536
192.4 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Infrared
K
Very Large Telescope
VINCI
Infrared
N
Very Large Telescope
MIDI

Notes: The K-band data refers to the left image, and N-band to the right.