Lebre
Hare (Leporis)
Lepus, the Hare, is a constellation directly below Orion, appearing to flee from the great hunter and his dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor). Recognized since ancient times, this relatively bright southern constellation contains several interesting deep-sky objects including the globular cluster M79 and the beautiful Crimson Star, one of the reddest stars visible.
📜 Mitologia
Lepus was associated with hunting since ancient times, naturally placed beneath Orion the Hunter. Greek mythology held that Orion especially loved hunting hares. Some sources connect Lepus to the mythical hare of the island of Leros, where hares were introduced and multiplied so rapidly they nearly destroyed the island's crops. The Egyptians revered the hare for its speed and vigilance. In some star-lore, Lepus represents the trickster hare who outsmarted the hunter.
💡 Fatos curiosos
- ✦R Leporis (Hind's Crimson Star) is one of the reddest stars visible, a carbon star varying between magnitudes 5.5 and 11.7
- ✦M79 is an unusual globular cluster located on the opposite side of the sky from the galactic center
- ✦Arneb, the brightest star, is a white supergiant about 2,200 light-years away