We have analyzed the far UV-spectrum of the globular cluster M79. We show t
hat the nearly Gaussian mass distribution of zero-age horizontal-branch sta
rs, as derived by Dixon et al. (1996), is able to reproduce the far-UV Hopk
ins Utraviolet Telescope (HUT) spectrum, if there is a luminous UV-bright s
tar of about T-eff = 9,500 K within the HUT entrance slit, or, more likely,
if the horizontal branch morphology becomes considerably redder in the cor
e of M79, as observed in some other centrally condensed globular clusters.
Agreement between the synthetic and observed far-UV spectra for M79 would a
lso be improved if the surface abundances of the heavy elements in the hot
horizontal-branch stars were enhanced by radiative diffusion. Contrary to D
ixon et al. (1996) we do not need extremely low gravities to reproduce the
width of Ly alpha.