Object Analysis

The Tadpole Galaxy (UGC 10214) is a disrupted barred spiral galaxy located 420 million light-years from Earth in the northern constellation Draco. Its most striking feature is a massive trail of stars about 280,000 light-years long.

This tidal tail gives the galaxy the appearance of a tadpole. It was formed during a near collision with a smaller, more compact galaxy which is visible through the disk of the larger galaxy. The gravitational forces ripped stars, gas, and dust out of the spiral, flinging them into the long stream.

The tail is rich in bright blue star clusters, indicating that the collision triggered a burst of star formation. These clusters will likely become globular clusters orbiting the main galaxy in the distant future.