An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A nebula of gas and dust (about 17" x 12" in size), which surrounds the massive star Eta Carinae and lies about 7500 light-years away.
The surrounding material was ejected by the massive star in 1843 during its violent eruption, and is now expanding at about 500 km/sec.

Etymology (EN): Homunculus, “a diminutive human being; little man” (since the nebula resembled a small human to early observers),
from L. homin-, homun-, homo “eartly being,” humus “the earth” (cf. Pers. zamin “earth, ground,” Mid.Pers. zamig “earth;”
Av. zam- “the earth;” Skt. ksam; Gk. khthôn, khamai “on the ground;” PIE root *dh(e)ghom “earth”) + → -ula, -ule; → nebula.

Etymology (PE): Miq, → nebula; âdamak “little man.”