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Lepus
From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium
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.
| 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 speed and fertility of the hare, he put it in the sky as a constellation. As it was placed near Orion, this emphasised Orion's role as a hunter. Also nearby is Canis Major, the Great Dog, which was also said to chase the hare.[1]
References
- ↑ Perrey, Werner. Sternbilder und ihre Legenden. Stuttgart: Verlag Urachhaus. ISBN 3-8251-7172-8.
| 88 Official Constellations by IAU |
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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 |
