Lepus (constellation)
| Constellation | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | Lep |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Leporis |
| Pronunciation | /ˈliːpəs/, or colloquially /ˈlɛpəs/; genitive /ˈlɛpər[invalid input: 'ɨ']s/ |
| Symbolism | the Hare |
| Right ascension | 6 |
| Declination | −20 |
| Quadrant | NQ2 |
| Area | 290 sq. deg. (51st) |
| Main stars | 8 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 20 |
| Stars with planets | 3 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 2 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 3 |
| Brightest star | α Lep (Arneb) (2.58m) |
| Messier objects | 1 |
| Meteor showers | None |
| Bordering constellations | Orion Monoceros Canis Major Columba Caelum Eridanus |
| Visible at latitudes between +63° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of January. | |
Lepus (/[invalid input: 'icon']ˈliːpəs/, colloquially /ˈlɛpəs/) is a constellation lying just south of the celestial equator, immediately south of Orion. Its name is Latin for hare. Although the hare does not represent any particular figure in Greek mythology, Lepus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It is located below the constellation Orion (the hunter), and is sometimes represented as a hare being chased by Orion or, alternatively, by Orion's hunting dogs.[1]
This constellation should not be confused with Lupus, the wolf.
Asterism
Four stars of this constellation (α, β, γ, δ Lep) form a quadrilateral and are known as ‘Arsh al-Jawzā', "the Throne of Jawzā'" or Kursiyy al-Jawzā' al-Mu'akhkhar, "the Hindmost Chair of Jawzā'" and al-Nihāl, "the Camels Quenching Their Thirst" in Arabic.
Notable features
- R Leporis is a Mira variable and also known as Hind's Crimson Star.
- T Leporis is also a Mira variable observed in detail by ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer.[2]
There is one Messier Object in Lepus, M79. This is a faint globular cluster with a magnitude of around 8m.56.
References
- ^ "Skys & Telescope: March 2008", Southern Hemisphere Highlights: by Shermend
- ^ Unique Details Of Double Star In Orion Nebula And Star T Leporis Captured By 'Virtual' Telescope. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 19, 2009, /releases/2009/02/090218103517.htm
- Allen, R. H. (1899). Star-names and Their Meanings. New York: G. E. Stechart.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|ref-id=ignored (help) - Kunitzsch, P. (2006). A Dictionary of Modern Star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations. Cambridge (USA): Sky Publishing Corp.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|ref-id=ignored (help) - Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0-00-725120-9. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0-691-13556-4.
External links
Credit: ESO/J.-B. Le Bouquin et al.
- Hundred metre virtual telescope captures unique detailed colour image — ESO's Organisational Release
- The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Lepus
- Star Tales – Lepus
