Messier Index/M79

Messier 79
Observation data (w:J2000 epoch)
Class	V
Constellation	Lepus
Right ascension	05h 24m 10.59s
Declination	-24° 31′ 27.3″
Distance	41 kly[citation needed] (12 kpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)	+8.56
Apparent dimensions (V)	8,7'
Physical characteristics
Mass	kg ( M${\odot }$${\odot }$)
Other designations	M79, NGC 1904, GCl 10

Messier 79 (also known as M79 or NGC 1904) is a w:globular cluster in the w:Lepus constellation. It was discovered by w:Pierre Méchain in w:1780. M79 is at a distance of about 41,000 w:light years away from w:Earth and 60,000 light years away from the w:Galactic Center.

Like w:Messier 54 (the other extragalactic globular on Messier's list), it is thought that M79 is not native to the w:Milky Way galaxy at all, but instead to the w: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; care must therefore be taken when associating any object with the Canis Major dwarf.

External links

• Messier 79, SEDS Messier pages
• Messier 79, Galactic Globular Clusters Database page