Lepus constellation
Lepus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the hare. It is highest in the sky at midnight around December 14, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 68°N to 90°S.
Lepus at a glance
- Represents
- the hare
- Highest at midnight
- December 14
- Highest at 9 pm
- January 28
- Seen whole from
- 68°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 13 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Lepus
Lepus is highest in the sky at midnight around December 14 and at 9 pm around January 28. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 9:50 p.m. |
| February 15 | 7:50 p.m. |
| March 15 | 6:00 p.m. |
| April 15 | 4:00 p.m. |
| May 15 | 2:00 p.m. |
| June 15 | 12:00 p.m. |
| July 15 | 10:00 a.m. |
| August 15 | 8:00 a.m. |
| September 15 | 6:00 a.m. |
| October 15 | 4:00 a.m. |
| November 15 | 2:00 a.m. |
| December 15 | 11:50 p.m. |
Where to look for Lepus
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Lepus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on December 14, 33° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Lepus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on December 14, 72° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Lepus
None of the stars of Lepus is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 2.
Lepus in myth and history
The hare sits at the feet of Orion, who hunts it with his two dogs.
Lepus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Constellations next to Lepus
Find Lepus in your sky
Questions about Lepus
Lepus is highest in the sky at midnight around December 14 and at 9 pm around January 28. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Lepus rises above the horizon from 68°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 78°N to 90°S.
Lepus represents the hare. Lepus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.