The Tadpole Galaxy, also known as UGC 10214[2] and Arp 188,[3] is a disrupted barred spiral galaxy located 420 million light-years from Earth in the northern constellation Draco.

Its size has been attributed to a merger with a smaller galaxy that is believed to have occurred about 100 million years ago.

During this close encounter, tidal forces drew out the spiral galaxy's stars, gases and dust, forming the conspicuous tail.

The intruder galaxy, estimated to lie about 300,000 light-years behind the Tadpole, can be seen through foreground spiral arms at the upper left.

Following its terrestrial namesake, the Tadpole Galaxy will likely lose its tail as it grows older; the tail's star clusters forming smaller satellites of the large spiral galaxy.