Lepus

Lepus

Abbreviation:  Lep
English Name:  The Hare
Genitive: Arneb
Hemisphere:  Southern Hemisphere
Location: Between the constellations of Canis Major and Eridanus.
Visible between latitudes:  
+60 and -90 degrees
Best season: Winter
Seen in three seasons: Autumn, Winter and Early Spring
Best seen in:  January
Seen between: December and late February
Right Ascension (RA):  06 hour
Declination (DEC):  -20 degrees
Area (square degrees):  290 (51st)

Lepus (The Hare)

  • Lepus is a small constellation and  lies under the feet of Orion (The Hunter).
  • It contains the very red Mira variable star – R Leporis, range magnitude +5.5 to magnitude +11.7; period 427 days.

Messier Objects

  • M79 – Globular Cluster of magitude +8.0, visible with a small telescope or large binocular.

Features of Interest

  • NGC 2017 – small open cluster; colourful multiple star riding on the back of Lepus.

Named Stars

  • Arneb (Alpha Leporis, magnitude +2.58)
  • Nihal (Beta Leporis)

Others

  • Photo of the constellation; Lepus, as it appears to the naked eye. (Lines have been added for clarity.)
  • Sky Chart  –  Lepus
  • List of stars in Lepus.

 

Back to The 88 Constellations Lists  page.

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