The Aries constellation
Ari · Catalogue stars: 12
Why this name?
Aries means a ram. The Greeks associated the constellation with the golden ram that rescued Phrixus and Helle; its fleece later became the goal of the Argonauts’ expedition.
A little history
In antiquity, the spring equinox lay in Aries. The slow change in the direction of Earth’s axis has since shifted that point, but its traditional Aries symbol remains in use.
Data
- IAU code
- Ari
- Catalogue stars
- 12
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- Hamal · 2.0ᵐ
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 15549 · 4.5ᵐ · K2II-III
- HIP 13914 · 4.6ᵐ · A2Vs
- HIP 12719 · 4.7ᵐ · B3V
- HIP 9153 · 4.8ᵐ · F0V
- HIP 15110 · 4.9ᵐ · A1V
- HIP 10053 · 5.0ᵐ · F2III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 54° | 35° |
| +55° | 59° | 44° |
| +45° | 69° | 54° |
| +30° | 84° | 62° |
| 0° | 66° | 66° |
| −35° | 31° | 60° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 18:50 |
| February | 16:43 |
| March | 14:58 |
| April | 13:04 |
| May | 11:10 |
| June | 09:04 |
| July | 07:00 |
| August | 04:59 |
| September | 03:06 |
| October | 01:17 |
| November | 23:16 |
| December | 21:08 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Aries?
Hamal — 2.0ᵐ.