Kevin Rasso captured this extraordinary shot of the Eta Carinae Nebula (NGC 3372) in Carina with his SVX90T. This complex nebula is located 7,500 light-years away from Earth and is one of the brightest and most massive star-forming regions in our galaxy. It contains numerous massive, young stars, as well as vast amounts of gas and dust. While it's four times the size and even brighter than the famous Orion Nebula, it is less well known, due to its location in the southern sky. It is also home to the captivating Keyhole Nebula (NGC 3324). 

According to Kevin: "This target was a challenge only rising 5 degrees above the horizon (about 6 degrees max) for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Over the 3 nights of acquisition, I managed a total of 45x300sec subs through my OSC at the Winter Star Party 2025. Eta Carinae is not normally considered a good continental US target, but at a bit over 24 degrees latitude from the Florida Keys, just made it thanks to the excellent seeing from this location. I named this image Gift of Life, as it reminded me of a hibiscus flower opening, as well as a reference to nebulae often being the birthplace of stars."

Other Designations: Eta Carinae, NGC 3372, ESO 128-ENO13, GC 2197, h 3295, Caldwell 92

Details:

Telescopes: Stellarvue SVX90T

Mount: ZWO AM3

Accessories: FFFR432mm @ f/4.8, ZWO EAF

Camera: Player One Poseidon C Pro

Guiding Camera: Sedna guiding OAG Max

Filter: Optolong QEF

Software: N.I.N.A., PixInsight

This image won first place in the deep photo contest at WSP 2025 (41st Winter Star Party -Southern Cross Astronomical Society). It was also featured in Sky and Telescope Magazine.

*See more of Kevin's astro-photos by visiting his website: www.skiesburnelectric.com

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