The Tadpole Nebula, cataloged as Sh2-236, is a sprawling emission nebula that rewards wide-field astrophotography with its glowing clouds of ionized hydrogen. Because the nebula shines predominantly in narrowband wavelengths, it is an excellent target for Hydrogen-alpha, Oxygen-III, and Sulfur-II filters, which cut through light pollution and reveal intricate structure. Its moderate surface brightness and extended size make it well suited to short to medium focal lengths, where the dense surrounding star fields of Auriga add depth to the frame. Long integration times in narrowband bring out the faint tendrils and the dark lanes that give the nebula its distinctive, sculpted appearance.
Names, key data and data sources
All values come from the astronomical database SIMBAD (CDS Strasbourg). Tap a row to see where the value comes from.
NamesTadpole NebulaAstrocamp
Catalogue numbersSh2-236 (Sharpless 236)Primary designation: Sh2-236SIMBAD
TypeEmission NebulaSIMBAD
ConstellationAuriga (Aur)computed
Position (J2000)RA 05h 22m 36s · Dec +33° 22′ 0″SIMBAD
Galactic coordinatesl = 173.6° · b = −1.7°Position relative to the Milky Way plane: 2° south of itcomputed
Distance13,000 light-years4.0 kpcSIMBAD
Sources and methods (7)
- Names: Names from the Astrocamp object database.
- Catalogue numbers: All identifiers under which SIMBAD lists the object; order according to the Astrocamp catalogue rule.
- Type: Entry in SIMBAD, object type “HII”. Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Constellation: Computed from the position (IAU constellation boundaries). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Position (J2000): Entry in SIMBAD, quality E (SIMBAD scale A–E). Publication: 1976A&AS...25...25D (NASA ADS). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Galactic coordinates: Converted from the position (IAU 1958 galactic system). Publication: 1976A&AS...25...25D (NASA ADS). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Distance: One published measurement (methods: kin 1), rounded according to the scatter, error ± 1,000 light-years. Publication: 2015AJ....150..147F (NASA ADS). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
Checked against SIMBAD on Oct 20, 2026 · Open Sh2-236 in SIMBAD
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Nestled in the rich Milky Way band of Auriga, the Tadpole Nebula sits at right ascension 05h 22m 36s and declination +33° 22′, placing it high in the northern winter sky where it climbs nearly overhead for mid-latitude observers. This region of Auriga is dense with young stars and glowing hydrogen clouds, offering a backdrop of thick stellar fields that frame the nebula beautifully in wide-field compositions. Its elevated position during the long nights of winter grants astrophotographers extended windows of clear, high-altitude imaging with minimal atmospheric interference.
Click marks an object (its path tonight) · click again for its constellation, once more to zoom to its field · click a frame to see it, again to zoom · its name shows details · click outside zooms out · drag to pan
Nice to Know
- The nebula earns its name from the elongated, trailing structures of gas and dust that resemble swimming tadpoles when captured in deep exposures.
- It carries the Sharpless catalog designation Sh2-236, identifying it among the surveyed emission nebulae of the northern sky.
- Lying about 13,000 light-years from Earth, it is a distant yet surprisingly photogenic target for amateur astrophotographers.
- Its strong emission in Hydrogen-alpha makes it a standout subject for narrowband and bicolor imaging techniques.
