ABSTRACT. Subarcsecond-resolution Chandra observations of η Carinae reveal a 40'' × 70'' ring or partial shell of X-ray emission surrounding an unresolved bright central source. The spectrum of the central source is strongly absorbed and can be fitted with a high-temperature thermal continuum and emission lines. The surrounding shell is well outside the optical/infrared bipolar nebula and is coincident with the outer shell of η Car. The X-ray spectrum of the shell is much softer than that of the central source. The X-ray shell is irregular and only correlates well with optical features in which a bright X-ray knot coincides with a bright feature of the outer shell. Implications for the binary model of the central source are discussed.

Subject headings: stars: early-type; stars: individual (η Carinae); X-rays: stars

Print publication: Issue 2 (2001 June 1)
Received 2000 September 25, accepted for publication 2001 January 23