Lepus

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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.

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]