Lepus constellation
Lepus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the hare. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 14 December, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 68°N to 90°S.
Lepus at a glance
- Represents
- the hare
- Highest at midnight
- 14 December
- Highest at 9 pm
- 28 January
- 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 14 December and at 9 pm around 28 January. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 9:50 pm |
| 15 February | 7:50 pm |
| 15 March | 6:00 pm |
| 15 April | 4:00 pm |
| 15 May | 2:00 pm |
| 15 June | 12:00 pm |
| 15 July | 10:00 am |
| 15 August | 8:00 am |
| 15 September | 6:00 am |
| 15 October | 4:00 am |
| 15 November | 2:00 am |
| 15 December | 11:50 pm |
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 14 December, 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 14 December, 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 14 December and at 9 pm around 28 January. 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.