Waid Observatory

Object: M79
Date: 01/26,28/2020   -   Location: Davis Mountains west of Fort Davis, TX
Telescope:   -   10in. RC  -  Camera: Apogee F8300M
Exposure: L = 180 min.    R, G, B = 45 min. each
Image Credit: Donald Waid and Preston Starr

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M079

 

M79 1

M79 is a remarkable globular cluster located approximately 40,000 light years from us in the constellation Lepus.  This cluster lies in an unusual location with respect to most globulars.  Most globular clusters are grouped around the central bulge of the galaxy while M79's location is beyond our position and is about 60,000 light years from the center of the Milky Way.  Most globulars are located in the opposite galactic hemesphere.  Recent studies lend weight to the cluster being a new immigrant to our galaxy.  Evidence indicates it could have been a member of the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, which is in a close encounter with the Milky Way and is in a progressive state of dissolution.

1http://www.messier.seds.org/m/m079.html

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid