Messier Index/M79
| Messier 79 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observation data (w: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] |
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[2]; care must therefore be taken when associating any object with the Canis Major dwarf.
References
- ↑ a b c d "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 1904. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
- ↑ Re-affirming the connection between the Galactic stellar warp and the Canis Major over-density