National Archives with Carina Nebula

A Corinthian column of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. is highlighted against the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372).

Named the "Keyhole Nebula" by Sir John Hershel in the 19th century, the nebula has been recently reexamined by the Hubble Space Telescope. It is located near the explosive variable star Eta Carina, some 8,000 light years from Earth. (PR00-06: the Hubble Heritage Team, STScI, AURA, NASA)

Home to the most important documents in the history of the United States of America, the National Archives building on Constitution Avenue was completed in 1937. It incorporates extensive safety measures to protect the helium-filled bronze tanks encasing the most  precious documents. Besides the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights is one of only four remaining copies of the British Magna Carta establishing the basic rights of individuals later incorporated into American democratic principles.

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