the hare · pronounced LEE-pus. Lepus is an ancient constellation crouching directly beneath Orion. Its four central stars form an easy quadrilateral, with yellow-white Arneb and the multiple system Nihal as the brightest anchors. The hare appears in classical descriptions but its exact relationship to Orion’s hunter and dogs varies among authors. Telescope highlights range from the remote globular cluster M79 to the compact Spirograph planetary nebula and Hind’s Crimson Star.
About Lepus
Lepus is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Its standard three-letter abbreviation is Lep, and astronomers use the genitive form Leporis when naming stars associated with it. The constellation's reference position lies around right ascension 5.9 hours and declination -25 degrees.
Its location places it in the southern sky. For a typical mid-latitude observer, this part of the celestial sphere is especially well placed during winter evenings. Exact visibility depends on latitude, local horizon, date and time.
History and mythology of Lepus
The hare below Orion
Lepus appears among Ptolemy’s 48 constellations. Classical artwork usually places the animal under Orion’s feet and ahead of Canis Major, but surviving texts support several interpretations rather than one fixed myth.
A pattern with older neighbours
Its placement inside the Orion–Canis Major hunting tableau made Lepus easy to preserve through medieval Arabic and European star catalogues. Many of its star names reached modern usage through Arabic astronomical transmission.
Southern enough to enrich Orion season
Although often introduced as an Orion accessory, Lepus has distinct observing attractions. Its location below the celestial equator makes it accessible from both hemispheres during the same months that Orion dominates the evening sky.
The modern astronomical region
The IAU adopted the three-letter abbreviation and standard constellation name in 1922. Eugène Delporte then published the coordinate boundaries in 1930, turning the inherited figure into an exact address for cataloguing every object inside it.
How to find Lepus
- Locate Orion’s bright rectangle and Belt. Look immediately below Rigel and Saiph for the compact four-star body of Lepus.
- Arneb and Nihal form the northern side; Epsilon and Mu Leporis help complete the quadrilateral. Dark skies reveal fainter stars extending as ears and legs.
- December through February evenings are ideal. From northern mid-latitudes face south; Southern Hemisphere observers see the figure higher and inverted relative to many northern charts.
- For M79, extend south from the central quadrilateral and use binoculars or a finder scope; a telescope shows a small concentrated glow.
Bright stars in Lepus
Arneb (Alpha Leporis)
Notable star- Magnitude
- 2.58
- Distance
- about 2,200 light-years
A very luminous yellow-white supergiant that appears modest only because of its great distance.
Nihal (Beta Leporis)
Notable star- Magnitude
- 2.84
- Distance
- about 160 light-years
A yellow giant in a multiple-star system; a small telescope reveals a much fainter companion.
Epsilon Leporis
Notable star- Magnitude
- 3.19
- Distance
- about 215 light-years
An orange giant marking the southeastern part of the hare’s body.
R Leporis (Hind’s Crimson Star)
Notable star- Magnitude
- about 5.5–11.7 variable
- Distance
- about 1,350 light-years
A carbon-rich Mira variable famous for its exceptionally deep red colour, strongest visually when the star is relatively faint.
Deep-sky objects in Lepus
Messier 79
A dense halo cluster about 40,000 light-years from Earth. It may have originated in a dwarf galaxy affected by the Milky Way, though its precise history remains studied.
IC 418 (Spirograph Nebula)
A compact planetary nebula whose intricate shell patterns are prominent in Hubble images; visually it appears as a small bright disk in moderate telescopes.
NGC 2017
A colourful telescopic group once treated as a cluster. Modern measurements show that most components lie at different distances and form an optical alignment.
Interesting facts about Lepus
- Lepus's name means the hare. Lepus appears among Ptolemy’s 48 constellations.
- Arneb (Alpha Leporis) is listed at magnitude 2.58. A very luminous yellow-white supergiant that appears modest only because of its great distance.
- Messier 79 is a globular cluster. A dense halo cluster about 40,000 light-years from Earth.
- Its placement inside the Orion–Canis Major hunting tableau made Lepus easy to preserve through medieval Arabic and European star catalogues.