The Hare Constellation

Lepus, Latin for "hare", is a constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere. This constellation, while not large, is known for its rich array of stars and deep-sky objects. It also holds a special place in ancient mythology.

Historical Overview

The constellation Lepus has been recognized since antiquity, with its roots in ancient Greek astronomy. In the sky, it is located just beneath Orion, the hunter, which has led to the myth that Lepus represents a hare being hunted by Orion. This association with Orion has remained consistent through the centuries, with Lepus appearing just south of Orion in our modern night sky.

Location and Main Features

Lepus is located in the second quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ2) and can be seen at latitudes between +63? and -90?. It is surrounded by eight different constellations, including Orion to the north, Monoceros to the east, and Eridanus to the west. With an area of 290 square degrees, Lepus is the 51st largest constellation in our sky.

Major Stars

The constellation Lepus hosts several notable stars. Its brightest star, Arneb (Alpha Leporis), is a supergiant star approximately 2,200 light-years away from us with a magnitude of 2.6, making it a standout in the constellation. The name Arneb comes from the Arabic for "hare".

Beta Leporis, also known as Nihal, is the second brightest star in Lepus. It's a giant star located approximately 159 light-years away, with a magnitude of 2.8. Gamma Leporis is a binary star, approximately 29 light-years away, consisting of an F-type main-sequence star and an orange dwarf.

Deep Sky Objects

One of the most notable deep sky objects within Lepus is Messier 79 (M79), a globular cluster located about 41,000 light-years away. It was discovered by Pierre M?chain in 1780 and subsequently included in Charles Messier's catalogue. With an apparent magnitude of 7.7, it is quite faint and requires a telescope to observe.

Furthermore, the constellation also includes a number of galaxies such as IC 418, a planetary nebula known as the "Spirograph Nebula" due to its intricate pattern, reminiscent of designs made by a spirograph.

Observation

Lepus is best viewed in the winter months in the northern hemisphere. It's easily located due to its proximity to Orion, one of the most recognizable constellations. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope would enhance the viewing experience, particularly for spotting deep-sky objects like M79.

Lepus in Modern Astronomy

Today, Lepus continues to be of interest to astronomers for its variety of celestial objects. Amateur astronomers often challenge themselves to find and observe the deep-sky objects within Lepus, while professional astronomers study these same objects to learn more about the universe. The stars of Lepus, especially its binary systems, also provide valuable information for research into stellar evolution.

While Lepus may be a small and often overlooked constellation, it offers astronomers a wealth of stars and deep-sky objects to explore, as well as a rich connection to our astronomical past.

* Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).