Messier 79 is a winter globular cluster in Lepus that may have originated outside the Milky Way entirely — a true rogue hiding below Orion’s feet.
Author Archives: Wayne McGraw
Pi Puppis Cluster (Collinder 135): A Bright, Loose Cluster in Puppis
Explore the Pi Puppis Cluster (Collinder 135), a bright, loose star group in Puppis, with tips for finding it and a personal binocular observing story.
Caldwell 74: The Eight-Burst Nebula in Vela
Discover the Eight-Burst Nebula (Caldwell 74), a southern planetary nebula in Vela with a hidden white dwarf at its heart.
Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174): Orion’s Hidden Face
Explore the Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174) in Orion—its glowing red gas, newborn stars, discovery history, and tips for observing this hidden winter deep-sky object.
The Great Comet of 1861: When Earth Grazed a Comet’s Tail
The Great Comet of 1861 stunned the world as Earth passed through its tail. Discover how a farmer-astronomer and Civil War witnesses saw history.
The Great Comet of 1744: Six Tails at Dawn
Uncover the mystery of the Great Comet of 1744. From its six-tailed fan to inspiring a young Charles Messier, relive the dawn that changed astronomy.
Upsilon Puppis: A Wide Optical Double Star in Puppis
Learn how to find Upsilon Puppis, a great optical double star. Perfect for binoculars, this pair in the constellation Puppis is a winter sky must-see.
Donati’s Comet 1858: The Comet That Stunned the World
Explore Donati’s Comet of 1858—its historic observations, first photographs, and global impact, from Florence skies to Abraham Lincoln’s gaze.
The Garden Astronomer 