IC 410 is a glowing cloud of interstellar gas and dust
surrounding the open cluster NGC 1893. The stars of the
cluster were formed from this cloud only about 4 million
years ago, and now their radiation is eroding away the
remnants of the cloud. Near the top of this image are two
unusually dense areas whose erosion has formed streamers
10 light years long. These two formations have come to be
called "the tadpoles." IC 410 is 12,000 light years from
earth, and more than 100 light years in diameter.

This image was chosen as the Anacortes Astronomy Picture of the Day
for January 18, 2010 here.

Image data:
Camera: SBIG ST-4000XCM
Exposure: 9 hours 10 minutes (10 minutes x 55)
Telescope: 10" Schmidt-Newtonian, Baader MPCC