The Carina Nebula complex is one of the most active star formation regions in the Milky Way. It contains the Keyhole Nebula, which was imaged by the European Southern Observatory. NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory revealed the magnetic field lines in this image.

A giant, active star called Eta Carinae, located near the Keyhole Nebula, may have changed the shape of this region with its powerful stellar winds. According to SOFIA's data, the magnetic field lines here have been affected by Eta Carinae's winds, spreading out like a fan. This suggests that the energy emitted by the star is distorting the magnetic field.

However, these magnetic fields are not as strong as Eta Carinae's winds. This means that while magnetic fields play an important role in the formation of stars, they are not enough to counter the powerful energies coming from massive stars. Scientists are now investigating whether this is also the case in other massive star-forming regions.

Image description:

The Keyhole Nebula glows in shades of blue, pink and purple. In the center of the nebula, magnetic fields are defined by what looks like a wind pattern, moving in swirls around a central loop. Stars punctuate the background of the image in shades of pink and blue.

 

Credits: NASA, SOFIA science team, Y. Seo; ESO