IC 410 - Tadpole Nebula

December 2025

IC 410 is a star-forming emission nebula located in the constellation Auriga at a distance of roughly 12,000 light-years. The region is ionized primarily by the young open cluster NGC 1893, whose hot, massive stars sculpt the surrounding gas into intricate filaments, cavities, and pillars. Prominent within the nebula are dense cometary globules—often referred to as the “Tadpoles”—where ongoing star formation is thought to be actively influenced by stellar radiation and winds. This image highlights the complex interaction between ionized hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen, revealing both large-scale flows and fine internal structure within the nebula.