M79 – Globular Cluster in Lepus

Telescope: 8” Meade Wide Field LX200GPS @ f/4, Altaz mode

Camera: ZWO ASI 294MC (uncooled)

Filter: Orion Imaging Skyglow Filter

Guide scope: None

Exposure: 30x15sec, Gain 120, binned 2×2, saved as TIFF

Darks: None

Flats: Synthetic

Average Light Pollution: Red zone, Bortle 8, poor transparency

Lensed Sky Quality Meter: 18.4

White Balance: Nebulosity Automatic

Software: ASI Air Plus, Deepsky Stacker, Nebulosity, Photoshop

M79 is one of the few globular clusters in the northern hemisphere’s winter sky. Although relatively bright (Mv 7.7), M79 can be a bit of a challenge for backyard observers as it hides low in the south and is often obscured by skyglow. Interestingly, there is some speculation that M79 may not be a native to the Milky Way, but instead it may be associated with the Canis Major dwarf galaxy which is currently passing very close to our galaxy.

M79 is presently in the southeast below Orion as the sky darkens.