Aries Constellation

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Aries, the ram, is a zodiac constellation located in the northern celestial hemisphere, associated with the story of the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology.

Aries (The Ram)

Aries is a small yet significant constellation in the northern sky, representing a ram in Greek mythology. It is one of the 13 constellations along the ecliptic, making it part of the zodiac. Despite its modest size, Aries holds historical and mythological importance.

Key Features

Bright Stars: Aries is home to several notable stars:
- Hamal: The brightest star in Aries, located approximately 66 light-years away. It marks the head of the ram.
- Sheratan: A binary star system, marking another point in the ram’s head.
- Mesarthim: A white binary star system, historically referred to as the "first star in Aries."
Deep-Sky Objects: Aries contains a few faint but intriguing objects, such as:
- NGC 772: A spiral galaxy with a prominent arm.
- NGC 680: A barred spiral galaxy located farther away.

Mythological Background

In Greek mythology, Aries represents the golden ram that saved Phrixus and Helle, the children of King Athamas, from their stepmother’s wrath. The ram carried them to safety, but Helle fell into the sea during the journey, giving her name to the Hellespont (modern-day Dardanelles). Upon reaching Colchis, Phrixus sacrificed the ram to the gods, and its golden fleece was placed in a sacred grove, guarded by a dragon. This golden fleece later became the goal of Jason and the Argonauts' legendary quest.

Cultural Significance

Aries has been a vital reference in astronomy and timekeeping. In ancient times, the vernal equinox—the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving north—was located in Aries. Though precession has shifted the equinox into Pisces, Aries retains its association with spring and renewal in various cultural traditions.

Aries Rise and Set Timetable

	Time	Elevation
Moon Set	12:27	-12°
Aries Rise	13:44
Sunset	17:08	38°
Civil sunset	17:40	44°
Astrosession begin	18:15	50°
Aries Transit	21:02	72°
Moon Rise, 57% illuminated	23:50	50°
Aries Set	04:19
Astrosession end	06:46	-21°

Track Aries Position Throughout the Night

← Sat, 21 December 2024 →

Time
Altitude
Azimuth

Shift the map to change the time and observe Aries changing position in the night sky.

Annual motion of Aries

Date	Sun, 22 December 2024
Twighlight start	18:44
Twighlight end	06:07
Twighlight duration	11h 23m
Rise	13:40
Set	04:15
Elevation at transit	72°
Transit time	20:58
Equatorial coordinate	RA: 02h 34m 34s", Dec: 21° 55' 33s
Magnitude	-
Constellation

The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Aries, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Aries is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries, which provide a consistent framework for celestial mapping.

Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for their collaboration in producing the charts and tables. The constellation patterns, drawn by Alan MacRobert, were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and thoughtfully adjusted to align with earlier traditions.

Observation Settings