****************************************************** PR # 42023 Radio, optical, UV and X-ray observations show that the peculiar massive star Eta Car entered a new phase of activity sometime in 1992 and is still active. ROSAT PSPC observations showed that the variability is confined to a spatially unresolved hard (kT > 2 keV) source centered on Eta Car. We are monitoring the X-ray emission from Eta Car as part of a multi-wavelength campaign. ASCA observations are vital since ASCA provides the only imaging X-ray spectroscopy of the hard source available. New ASCA data will provide a unique measure of the present X-ray brightness of the hard source, conclusively determine the physical cause of the X-ray variability, test for the presence of enhanced nitrogen abundances in the hot plasma, and examine the important Fe line region near 7 keV. ******************************************************