Today's article is about the tadpole galaxy from hubble. why does this galaxy have such a long tail in this stunning vista based on image data from the hubble legacy archive distant galaxies form a dramatic backdrop for disrupted spiral galaxy arc 188.
The tadpole galaxy the cosmic tadpole is a mere 420 million light years distant toward the northern constellation of the dragon draco its eye-catching tale is about 280 000 light years long and features massive bright blue star clusters.
One story goes that a more compact intruder galaxy crossed in front of arp 188 from right to left in this view and was slung around behind the tadpole by their gravitational attraction during the close encounter tidal forces drew out the spiral galaxy stars gas and dust forming the spectacular tail the intruder galaxy itself estimated to lie about 300 000 light years behind the tadpole can be seen through foreground spiral arms at the upper right following its terrestrial namesake the tadpole galaxy will likely lose its tail as it grows older.
