Represented as a hare, it’s situated directly south of Orion.
This constellation is situated about 18 degrees west of the Great Dog. From the motion of the earth, the Great Dog seems to be pursuing the fleeing Lepus. Apparently, the dog took his clue from the Greyhounds, which pursue the Bear in a similar infinite chase scene in the sky.
It was a hare that Orion was said to have taken such delight in hunting. Because it was a favorite of his, it was put in the sky for Orion’s continual pleasure. The hare probably wishes it were a bit less favored.
|
| Symbol | Lep |
| Right Ascension |
05:31
|
| Declination | -18 |
| Diameter (°) | 11 |
| Area (square °) | 290 |
| Opposition |
Dec 15
|
| Size Rank |
51st
|
| Brightness Rank |
35th
|
| Genitive | Leporis |
|