How to Find the Hare Constellation

Lepus, or the Hare, is the constellation just to the south of Orion. The Hare is visible from 60 N degrees latitude down to the South Pole. The best month for viewing is February.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Examine the star map for Orion. Orion is normally considered a northern constellation, but the constellation Lepus is visible to most of the southern hemisphere. Notice the position of Lepus under Orion's feet clearly in the southern sky.

2. Go out to look during late winter. You must be in the southern hemisphere or at least below 60 degrees north in latitude. Most of the northern hemisphere can see Lepus. Above 60 degrees north latitude, Lepus is not visible but it is visible all the way to the south pole.

3. Identify the legs of Orion. Lepus is just beneath both feet of Orion. Lepus consists of eight stars, the brightest two of which are Arnab and Nihal. They are situated in the center of the constellation. They are positioned below Orion's spread legs. The shape of the stars that form Lepus is an elongated rectangle with two rabbit ears extending from one corner of the rectangle, Ahdeb, and a body line protruding from the lower corner, Nihal. Nearby bright stars are Sirius and Rigel.