Lepus (constellation)

Lepus is a constellation south of the celestial equator. Its name is Latin for hare.  The hare is not from any figure in Greek mythology. Lepus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. It is one of the 88 modern constellations. It is below the constellation Orion (the hunter). It is known as a hare being chased by Orion."Skys & Telescope: March 2008", Southern Hemisphere Highlights: by Shermend

This constellation should not be mixed up with Lupus, the wolf.

 Notable features 

Deep-sky objects
 IC 418 is a planetary nebula located about 1,100 light years away.
 There is one Messier Object in Lepus, M79. It is a globular cluster of magnitude 8.0, 42,000 light-years from Earth. It is one of the few globular clusters seen in the Northern Hemisphere winter.

References

Further reading




 Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. . Princeton University Press, Princeton. .

Other websites

 Hundred metre virtual telescope captures unique detailed colour image — ESO's Organisational Release
 The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Lepus
 Star Tales – Lepus
 Lepus Constellation at Constellation Guide

Category:Constellations
Category:Constellations listed by Ptolemy