The Southern Tadpoles Nebula (NGC 3572): A Cosmic Nursery in Carina

The Southern Tadpoles Nebula, officially catalogued as NGC 3572, is a stunning star-forming region in the constellation Carina. Located about 9,000 light-years from Earth, this nebula is a stellar nursery filled with glowing hydrogen gas, newborn stars, and clusters of cosmic dust. Its nickname comes from the dark, elongated clouds of gas that resemble tadpoles swimming through the sea of starlight.

What’s Happening Inside

At the heart of NGC 3572 are hot young stars from the open cluster within the nebula. These stars release intense ultraviolet radiation, ionising the hydrogen gas around them and causing it to glow with that signature pink and red light captured so beautifully in astrophotography.

The tadpole shapes themselves are created by stellar winds and radiation sculpting dense knots of gas and dust. Over time, some of these may collapse under gravity and form new stars, continuing the cycle of creation.

The Southern Tadpole Nebula in SHO

The Southern Tadpole Nebula in HOO

Close Up View Of A Small HII Area

Close Up View Of The Central Structures

Annotated Image of The Southern Tadpoles Nebula

Stretch Stacked SII Image

Screenshot Of NGC 3572 In Stellarium

Stretch Stacked OIII Image

Stretch Stacked HA Image

Observing the Nebula

For stargazers in the Southern Hemisphere, Carina is one of the richest regions of the night sky, making NGC 3572 a rewarding target. Under dark skies, a medium to large telescope will reveal the star cluster, and long-exposure astrophotography will bring out the nebula’s faint but intricate details.

The best time to observe is between February and May when Carina is high in the sky during the evening hours.

Capturing It with Astrophotography

This nebula shines brightest through narrowband filters that can isolate the glowing hydrogen and oxygen. I captured it using my Sky-Watcher Quattro 150P paired with the ZWO ASI 533MM Pro camera and Antlia 3nm SHO filters. Narrowband imaging helps cut through light pollution and highlights the delicate structures inside the nebula.

If you are just starting out, a good equatorial mount is key for tracking, along with stacking multiple long exposures to reveal its hidden details. A 200mm to 400mm telescope or even a fast telephoto lens can start showing the star cluster and hints of nebulosity.

Tips for Success

• Use narrowband filters to bring out contrast in the emission regions

• Aim for at least 4 to 6 hours of integration time for best results

• Process carefully to reveal the delicate shapes of the tadpoles without over-smoothing

• For visual observers, dark skies are essential, and nebula filters will help

Why It’s Special

The Southern Tadpoles is not only beautiful but also a window into the ongoing story of star formation. Its mixture of glowing gas, sculpted dust, and hot young stars captures the cycle of life in our galaxy. It is a reminder that the cosmos is always evolving, with each new star lighting up its surroundings.