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| M79, A Globular Cluster, (NGC1904) cropped and downsized to fit screen, click on image above for full frame full resolution image |
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Located directly below the Orion Constellation M79 is
a small, low in the sky, wintertime globular cluster. This is at an unusual
location for a globular because: most globulars can be seen in the summer
and are grouped around the Milky Way's central area. This is one is situated
in the opposite part of the sky, away from the galactic center, i.e. it is
beyond us at little over 40,000 light years away, and about 60,000 light
years from the galactic center. M79's apparent diameter of 9.6 arc
minutes corresponds to a linear extension of about 118 light years.
In 2003, it was found that M79 is perhaps a rather new immigrant into our Milky Way: It may come from, or still be a member of the remnant globular cluster system of the Canis Major Dwarf galaxy, which is currently undergoing a very close encounter with our Galaxy, and in progressive state of dissolution. Together with M79, three more globular clusters are suspected to have immigrated from the Canis Major Dwarf: NGC 1851, NGC 2298, and NGC 2808. |
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10"
F6.3 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope, (1600mm F.L.) Modified Canon
300D camera with a Baader IR-UV filter and coma corrector, placed at the scopes prime focus |