  Previous STIS long-slit observations of Eta Carinae identified numerous
absorption features in both the stellar spectrum, and in the adjacent nebular
spectra, along our line-of-sight. The absorption features became temporarily
stronger when the ionizing FUV radiation field was reduced by the periastron
passage of the secondary star. Subsequently, dissipation of a dusty structure
in our LOS has led to a long-term increase in the apparent magnitude of \ec, an
increase in the ionizing UV radiation, and the disappearance of absorptions
from multiple velocity-separated shells extending across the foreground
Homunculus lobe. We use HST/STIS spectro-images, coupled with published
infrared and radio observations, to locate this intervening dusty structure.
Velocity and spatial information indicate the occulter is ~1000 au in front of
Eta Carinae. The Homunculus is a transient structure composed of dusty,
partially-ionized ejecta that eventually will disappear due to the relentless
rain of ionizing radiation and wind from the current binary system along with
dissipation and mixing with the ISM. This evolving complex continues to provide
an astrophysical laboratory that changes on human timescales.
