A spectroscopic event of

We present spectroscopic observations with high spectral resolution of η Car as seen by the SE lobe of the Homunculus nebula over the 2003.5 “spectroscopic event”. The observed spectra represent the stellar spectrum emitted near the pole of the star and are much less contaminated with nebular emission lines than direct observations of the central object. The “event” is qualitatively similar near the pole to what is observed in direct spectra of the star (more equator-on at 45°), but shows interesting differences. The observations show that the equivalent width changes of Hα emission and other lines are less pronounced at the pole than in the line of sight. Also the absorption components appear less variable. A pronounced high-velocity absorption is present near the event in the He