The proper motion and orbital motion of the galactic globular cluster M79

Using astrometric plates of Shanghai Observatory spanning a period of 29 years, the absolute proper motion of the Galactic globular cluster M79 was measured. Adopting the distance and radial velocity given by Harris (1999), its present space velocity was derived; then by taking the Galactic gravitational potential model proposed by Allen and Santillan (1991), its past orbital parameters in the Galactic system were derived. We also discuss the uncertainties in kinematical studies of globular clusters based on the use of proper motion data.