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 Maior.
| Lepus | |
|---|---|
| Latin name | Lepus |
| Latin genitive | Leporis |
| International abbreviation | Lep |
| Number of stars | 103 |
| Symbology | Hare |
Remarkable objects
- α Leporis, also called Arneb, is a supergiant with an apparent magnitude of 2m.6.
- R Leporis is an irregular variable star which was first described by the British astronomer John Russel Hind in 1845.
History and mythology
As Hermes, the messenger, admired the speediness and fertility of the hare, he put it as a constellation in the sky. As it was done near Orion, this emphasised Orions role as a hunter. There is also some kind of relation to Canis Maior, as it was also told that the Great Dog chases 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 |