Lepus (The Hare)

Winter constellation of the hare, crouching at the feet of Orion just west of his great dog.

Core Principles & Analysis

• It is one of Ptolemy's 48 constellations, placed directly beneath Orion as his quarry.
• R Leporis, "Hind's Crimson Star", is a carbon variable famous for its deep ruby colour.
• The globular cluster M79 here may be a stray from the Canis Major dwarf galaxy, captured by the Milky Way.

Specifications & Metrics

• BRIGHTEST STAR: Arneb (α Lep)
• HEMISPHERE: Southern
• BEST VIEWED: January