It’s so wonderful to have spring coming on, but I will miss winter stargazing! I love watching the majestic constellation Orion the Hunter and his gang of surrounding constellations like Taurus the Bull, Gemini the Twins, and several others. You can still see Orion and at least some of his posse hanging in the western Marshall sky after evening twilight, but they’re checking out. It won’t be long before Orion and company are already set below the western horizon before nightfall, not to be seen again until late next autumn.

Before Orion and company go on summer vacation, see if you can spot the minor constellation Lepus (pronounced Lee-pus) the Rabbit. What a name for that constellation. Someone had a sense of humor! Look for a group of fainter stars directly below Orion right after evening twilight in the very low southwest sky just above the horizon. In the countryside you’ll see it more easily without the nasty urban lighting!

In Greek and Roman mythology, Lepus the Rabbit is a fun little story. It reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny-Elmer Fudd cartoons. Just like Elmer Fudd, Orion was a pretty good hunter. Orion could hunt down any beast on his island, no matter how large or ferocious it was. But, just like Mr. Fudd, there was one beast that always eluded the mighty hermit hunter and took great pleasure in harassing him. It’s Orion’s version of Bugs Bunny, Lepus the Rabbit.

Here’s what’s up, Doc. Lepus was no ordinary pesky rabbit. He was a devil! That bad bunny would constantly taunt and tease Orion during his hunting adventures, jumping on his head, or biting the mighty hunter’s butt just as he was about to launch a spear at a wild boar. Lepus also made a point of using Orion’s sleeping bag as his toilet. Orion wanted desperately to do in this rabbit, but just like Bugs, Lepus was just too clever and fast.

Sadly, Orion never got to realize his dream of eliminating Lepus. The mighty hermit hunter met his demise when a giant scorpion attacked him.

Shortly afterward, Artemis, the goddess of hunting, lifted his body into the heavens and magically transfigured it into the constellation we see in the winter heavens. She wanted to be able to see him every night! She also placed his hunting dogs Canis Major and Canis Minor up there with him, along with, yes, that pesky rabbit Lepus. So that’s what’s up in the sky, Doc!

Mike Lynch is an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist for WCCO Radio in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is also the author of “Stars: a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations,” published by Adventure Publications and available at bookstores and at  adventurepublications.net. Contact Mike Lynch at  mikewlynch@comcast.net.