Lepus (constellation)

Lepus
Constellation
Lepus
AbbreviationLep
GenitiveLeporis
Pronunciation/ˈlpəs/, or colloquially /ˈlɛpəs/; genitive /ˈlɛpərɪs/
Symbolismthe Hare
Right ascension04h 55m 02.2311s06h 12m 51.7500s[1]
Declination−10.8138046°–−27.2787991°[1]
QuadrantNQ2
Area290 sq. deg. (51st)
Main stars8
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
20
Stars with planets3
Stars brighter than 3.00m2
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)3
Brightest starα Lep (Arneb) (2.58m)
Messier objects1
Meteor showersNone
Bordering
constellations
Orion
Monoceros
Canis Major
Columba
Caelum
Eridanus
Visible at latitudes between +63° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of January.

Lepus is a constellation lying just south of the celestial equator. Its name is Latin for hare. It is located below—immediately south—of Orion (the hunter), and is sometimes represented as a hare being chased by Orion or by Orion's hunting dogs.[2]

Although the hare does not represent any particular figure in Greek mythology, Lepus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations.

  1. ^ a b IAU, The Constellations, Lepus.
  2. ^ "Sky & Telescope: March 2008", Southern Hemisphere Highlights: by Shermend