Messier 79
Star cluster in Lepus · 41,000 light-years
🔭 Explore Messier 79 in the 3D map →View Messier 79 images →| Type | Star cluster |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Lepus |
| Right ascension | 5h 24m 11s |
| Declination | −24° 31′ |
| Object distance | 41,000 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 8.2 |
| Apparent size | 7.2′ (arc-minutes) |
| Approx. true diameter | 85.9 light-years across |
| Also known as | M79 · NGC 1904 |
Messier 79 is a star cluster (also catalogued as NGC 1904) in Lepus — a gravitationally bound family of stars sharing a common origin. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 7.2 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 8.2, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.
Although it appears about 7.2′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 85.9 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.
Observing Messier 79
Messier 79 lies in the constellation Lepus and is best placed in the evening sky around December. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the southern hemisphere, and sits low for those far north. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies.
See Messier 79 in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 79 and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position, magnitude and angular size from the OpenNGC catalogue (Mattia Verga).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- Pleiades — star cluster
- Hercules Cluster — star cluster
- Small Sgr Star Cloud — star cluster
- Messier 25 — star cluster
- Messier 103 — star cluster