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Lepus constellation

Lepus is a constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Arneb. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.

  • Winterbest seen
  • Arnebbrightest star, magnitude 2.6
  • LepLepus
Show on the sky map
The constellation Lepus in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Mirzam, Canis Major — magnitude 2.0. Open on the sky mapArneb, Lepus — magnitude 2.6. Open on the sky mapArnebNihal, Lepus — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapNihalε Leporis — magnitude 3.2. Open on the sky mapμ Leporis — magnitude 3.3. Open on the sky mapζ Leporis — magnitude 3.5. Open on the sky mapKursi al Jabbar, Lepus — magnitude 3.6. Open on the sky mapKursi al Jabbarη Leporis — magnitude 3.7. Open on the sky mapArsh al Jauzah, Lepus — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapλ Leporis — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapκ Leporis — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky mapι Leporis — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky map N ↑← E
North is up, east is left — this is how the constellation looks in the sky. Click a star to open it on the sky map.

How to find the constellation Lepus

A faint constellation at Orion’s feet, south of Rigel.

Best seen in winter: in January around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 21°.

LocationVisibility
40° NMadrid, New York, Beijingrises and sets, fully visible
52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsawrises and sets, fully visible
60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburgrises and sets, fully visible

Bright stars of the constellation

StarMagnitudeColorDistance
Arnebα Leporis 2.6white—
Nihalβ Leporis 2.8yellow—
ε Leporis 3.2orange—
μ Leporis 3.3blue—
ζ Leporis 3.5bluish white—
Kursi al Jabbarγ Leporis 3.6white—
η Leporis 3.7white—
Arsh al Jauzahδ Leporis 3.8orange—
λ Leporis 4.3blue—
κ Leporis 4.4bluish white—
ι Leporis 4.5bluish white—

Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.

Questions

How do you find the constellation Lepus in the sky?

A faint constellation at Orion’s feet, south of Rigel.

When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Lepus?

In winter: in January around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.

What is the brightest star in the constellation Lepus?

Arneb: magnitude 2.6, white.

How many stars are there in the constellation Lepus?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 45 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.

Winter constellations

Find it in the sky tonightA sky map over your city: where the constellation Lepus is now and when it will rise.
Open the sky map