Ara constellation
Ara (the Altar) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in July. Its brightest star is β Arae (magnitude 2.85). Ara covers 237 square degrees and is the 63rd-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Ara
Facts
| Latin name | Ara (genitive: Arae) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Ara |
| Meaning | the Altar |
| Area | 237 square degrees (63rd of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 17.3 h, declination −55° |
| Visible from | latitudes 22° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | July (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | β Arae |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 42 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 1 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Apus, Corona Australis, Norma, Pavo, Scorpius, Telescopium, Triangulum Australe |
How to find Ara
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Ara never rises completely above the horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it never sets and stands highest in the south, about 70° up. The months before and after (June and August) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Ara borders Apus, Corona Australis, Norma, Pavo, Scorpius, Telescopium and Triangulum Australe.
Stars of Ara
Ara has 42 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | β Arae | 2.85 | K3Ib-IIa | — |
| — | α Arae | 2.95 | B2Vne | — |
| — | ζ Arae | 3.13 | K3III | — |
| — | γ Arae | 3.34 | B1Ib | — |
| — | δ Arae | 3.62 | B8Vn | — |
| — | θ Arae | 3.66 | B2Ib | — |
| — | η Arae | 3.76 | K5III | — |
| — | ε1 Arae | 4.06 | K4IIIab | — |
Printable Ara map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Ara figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Ara is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Ara
What is the brightest star in Ara?
β Arae, at magnitude 2.85.
When can you see Ara?
Ara is best seen in the evening in July. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 22° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Ara?
42 stars in Ara are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 1 of them have official IAU names.
What does Ara mean?
Ara means “the Altar” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Ara and the genitive, used in star names such as β Arae, is Arae.
