Distance determination and low-resolution spectroscopy of the planetary nebula M1-79

In this paper we present the first individual distance to the Galactic planetary nebula (PN) M1-79 determined using the reddening–distance method. Our result is 2.7 ± 0.9 pc (i.e. an accuracy of ≈ 30 per cent). By means of optical low-resolution spectroscopy spanning a usable range of ≈ 3650–7100 Å, the chemical composition of this PN is studied. Elemental abundances are given for O, N, and Ne, along with ionic abundances for several ions for three different regions within the nebula. The ionic abundances can be attributed to the effects of ionization stratification. There is no evidence for internal variations of O and N. From its chemical composition, morphology and kinematics, M1-79 is most probably a type I PN.