What it looks like
Lepus is a compact constellation just south of Orion, drawn as a hare fleeing the hunter. Its brightest stars, Arneb and Nihal, form part of the hare's ears and body. Though small, it is easy to find because it sits right beneath brilliant Rigel.
Brightest stars
Lepus has two stars brighter than magnitude 3, Arneb and Nihal, which together define the hare's shape.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arneb (α Leporis) | +2.58 | 2,200 ly | The Hare |
| Nihal (β Leporis) | +2.81 | 160 ly | — |
| Epsilon Leporis | +3.19 | 227 ly | — |
| Mu Leporis | +3.31 | 186 ly | — |
| Zeta Leporis | +3.55 | 70 ly | — |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Lepus is the hare that Orion the Hunter chased across the sky with his two dogs, placed below his feet as a perpetual quarry.
Orion's quarry
Lepus is one of the earliest recorded constellations. It appears in Babylonian star catalogues as early as 2000 BC, and the ancient Greeks inherited it as the hare hunted by Orion and his two dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. A hare was also said to have been placed in the sky by Hermes for its speed. Both the hare and the hunter are set in the sky together — the chase never ends.
How to find it
Look just below Rigel in Orion on winter evenings, forming a small compact figure south of the hunter's feet.
- Find Rigel, then look slightly down and to the left for the hare.
- Lepus sits between Orion and Canis Major.
- Best on winter evenings from both hemispheres.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- Lep
- Genitive
- Leporis
- Meaning
- The Hare
- Brightest star
- Arneb
- Main stars
- 6
- Area rank
- 51st
- Best visible
- January
- Declination
- -20°
- Meteor showers
- —
- Neighbours
- Orion, Taurus, Eridanus, Caelum, Columba, Canis Major
Deep-sky objects
Lepus contains M79, a globular cluster that may have been captured from outside the Milky Way. The constellation also contains the Spirograph Nebula (IC 418), a bright planetary nebula with a striking pattern.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Lepus look like?
Lepus is a small equatorial constellation known as the Hare, crouching below Orion's feet, marked by the bright star Arneb.
What is the brightest star in Lepus?
The brightest star in Lepus is Arneb, shining at around magnitude 2.58.
When is Lepus best visible?
Lepus is best seen from both hemispheres during January.
What is the story behind Lepus?
In Greek myth, Lepus is the hare that Orion the Hunter chased across the sky with his two dogs, placed below his feet as a perpetual quarry.
Which constellations are near Lepus?
Lepus borders Orion, Taurus, Eridanus, Caelum, Columba and Canis Major.
Orion
Canis Major