Lepus
Lepus is a constellation in the southern sky, immediately to the south of Orion. It is also surrounded by Monoceros, Eridanus, Caelum, Columba and Canis Major.
| Lepus | |
|---|---|
| Latin name | Lepus |
| Latin genitive | Leporis |
| International abbreviation | Lep |
| Number of stars | 103 |
| Symbology | Hare |
Remarkable objects
- α Leporis, Arneb, is a supergiant with an apparent magnitude of 2.6.
- β Leporis, Nihal, has an apparent magnitude of 2.81.
- R Leporis is an irregular variable star which was first described by the British astronomer John Russell Hind in 1845.
History and mythology
Hermes, the messenger, admired the speediness and fertility of the hare, so he put it in the sky as a constellation. As it was placed near Orion, this emphasised the latter's role as a hunter. It was also said that the Great Dog, Canis Major, chased the hare.[1]
References
- ↑ Perrey, Werner. Sternbilder und ihre Legenden. Stuttgart: Verlag Urachhaus. ISBN 3-8251-7172-8.
| 88 Official Constellations by IAU |
|
Andromeda • Antlia • Apus • Aquarius • Aquila • Ara • Aries • Auriga • Boötes • Caelum • Camelopardalis • Cancer • Canes Venatici • Canis Major • Canis Minor • Capricornus • Carina • Cassiopeia • Centaurus • Cepheus • Cetus • Chamaeleon • Circinus • Columba • Coma Berenices • Corona Australis • Corona Borealis • Corvus • Crater • Crux • Cygnus • Delphinus • Dorado • Draco • Equuleus • Eridanus • Fornax • Gemini • Grus • Hercules • Horologium • Hydra • Hydrus • Indus • Lacerta • Leo • Leo Minor • Lepus • Libra • Lupus • Lynx • Lyra • Mensa • Microscopium • Monoceros • Musca • Norma • Octans • Ophiuchus • Orion • Pavo • Pegasus • Perseus • Phoenix • Pictor • Pisces • Piscis Austrinus • Puppis • Pyxis • Reticulum • Sagitta • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Sculptor • Scutum • Serpens • Sextans • Taurus • Telescopium • Triangulum • Triangulum Australe • Tucana • Ursa Major • Ursa Minor • Vela • Virgo • Volans • Vulpecula |