The 'Tadpoles' of Star Forming Region IC 410 in Auriga
Emission nebula IC 410 lies around 10,000 light-years away, toward the nebula-rich constellation Auriga. It is nicknamed the Tadpole Nebula because of the tadpole-shaped clouds of dark dust that appear to be swimming towards the center. The Tadpole Nebula is a region of ionized hydrogen gas spanning over 100 light years across.
This telescopic close-up shows off the central regions of otherwise faint IC 410, captured under backyard skies. Presented in a Hubble color palette, the image combines visible broadband and narrowband data with data from the near-infrared. Below and right of center are two remarkable inhabitants of the interstellar pond of gas and dust. the Tadpoles of IC 410. Partly obscured by foreground dust, the nebula itself surrounds NGC 1893, a young galactic cluster of stars. Formed in the interstellar cloud a mere 4 million years ago, the intensely hot, bright cluster stars energize the glowing gas. However, the cosmic tadpoles themselves are composed of denser cooler gas and dust. Around 10 light-years long they are likely sites of ongoing star formation. Sculpted by stellar winds and radiation their heads are outlined by bright ridges of ionized gas while their tails trail away from the cluster's central young stars.
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Release Date: March 17, 2026
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