Abstract From the wealth of data on the source η Carinae it is concluded that it consists of two moderately massive (ordinary) stars plus a neutron star, the latter in close orbit around the secondary. As an extreme case among high-mass stars, η Car may teach us that stellar masses do not exceed 60M⊙. Several of η Car's peculiar properties are due to its three interacting wind zones. Its transient super-Eddington outputs -- during the years 1843 and 1887 -- are blamed on the assemblance of a heavy accretion disk around the neutron star (near peri-astron), and the disk's occasional discharging towards it.
Keywords η Carinae - stars: most massive - super-Eddington sources - triple-star system
It accepts original submissions from all over the world and is internationally published and distributed by IOP