The Ara constellation
Ara · Catalogue stars: 10
Why this name?
Ara depicts an altar. According to one ancient tradition, the gods formed an alliance at this altar before fighting the Titans.
A little history
The constellation appears in Ptolemy’s Almagest. Old charts often show the altar with its base facing north and its flames rising southwards.
Data
- IAU code
- Ara
- Catalogue stars
- 10
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- HIP 85258 · 2.8ᵐ
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 85258 · 2.8ᵐ · K3Ib-II
- HIP 85792 · 2.8ᵐ · B2Vne
- HIP 83081 · 3.1ᵐ · K5III
- HIP 85267 · 3.3ᵐ · B1Ib
- HIP 85727 · 3.6ᵐ · B8V
- HIP 88714 · 3.6ᵐ · B2Ib
- HIP 82363 · 3.8ᵐ · K5III
- HIP 83153 · 4.1ᵐ · K4III
- HIP 86092 · 4.6ᵐ · A0V
- HIP 86486 · 4.8ᵐ · F3IV
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | never rises | — |
| +30° | 6° | 158° |
| 0° | 36° | 144° |
| −35° | 71° | 169° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 09:39 |
| February | 07:32 |
| March | 05:46 |
| April | 03:53 |
| May | 01:59 |
| June | 23:52 |
| July | 21:49 |
| August | 19:48 |
| September | 17:55 |
| October | 16:06 |
| November | 14:05 |
| December | 11:57 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Ara?
HIP 85258 — 2.8ᵐ.