Lepus

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

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[edit]

* 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[edit]

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[edit]

1. ↑ 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