Messier 79
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| Messier 79 | |
 |
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| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
|---|---|
| Class | V |
| Constellation | Lepus |
| Right ascension | 05h 24m 10.59s[1] |
| Declination | -24° 31′ 27.3″[1] |
| Distance | 41 kly[citation needed] (12 kpc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +8.56[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 8,7' |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mass | kg ( M ) |
| Other designations | M79, NGC 1904, GCl 10[1] |
| See also: Globular cluster, List of globular clusters | |
Messier 79 (also known as M79 or NGC 1904) is a globular cluster in the Lepus constellation. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780. M79 is at a distance of about 41,000 light years away from Earth and 60,000 light years away from the Galactic Center.
Like Messier 54 (the other extragalactic globular on Messier's list), it is thought that M79 is not native to the Milky Way galaxy at all, but instead to the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy which is currently experiencing a very close encounter with the Milky Way, one it is unlikely to survive intact. This is, however, a contentious subject as astronomers are still debating the nature of the Canis Major dwarf galaxy itself[2]; care must therefore be taken when associating any object with the Canis Major dwarf.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Results for NGC 1904. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
- ^ Re-affirming the connection between the Galactic stellar warp and the Canis Major over-density
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