Aries constellation
Aries (the Ram) is a constellation in the northern sky, best seen in the evening in December. Its brightest star is Hamal (magnitude 2.0). Aries covers 441 square degrees and is the 39th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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How to find Aries, step by step
Between the Pleiades and the Great Square.
- On autumn and winter evenings find the Pleiades (M45).
- Look about 20 degrees west of them (two fist widths at arm’s length) for a short, bent line of three stars.
- The brightest, Hamal, is the ram's head; Sheratan and Mesarthim complete the short line.
Detailed star map of Aries
Facts
| Latin name | Aries (genitive: Arietis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Ari |
| Meaning | the Ram |
| Area | 441 square degrees (39th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 2.7 h, declination +20° |
| Visible from | latitudes 90° N to 59° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | December (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Hamal |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 57 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 6 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Cetus, Perseus, Pisces, Taurus, Triangulum |
How to find Aries
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in December evenings: at about 9 pm Aries stands highest, around 70° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 35° above the horizon. The months before and after (November and January) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Aries borders Cetus, Perseus, Pisces, Taurus and Triangulum.
Stars of Aries
Aries has 57 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamal | α Arietis | 2.0 | K2-IIICa-1 | 66 ly |
| Sheratan | β Arietis | 2.64 | A5V | 59 ly |
| Bharani | 41 Arietis | 3.63 | B8Vn | 154 ly |
| Botein | δ Arietis | 4.35 | K2III | 165 ly |
| — | HR 999 | 4.47 | K2II-III | — |
Printable Aries map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Aries figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Aries 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 Aries
What is the brightest star in Aries?
Hamal, at magnitude 2.0, about 66 light-years away.
When can you see Aries?
Aries is best seen in the evening in December. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 90° N and 59° S.
How many stars are in Aries?
57 stars in Aries are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 6 of them have official IAU names.
What does Aries mean?
Aries means “the Ram” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Ari and the genitive, used in star names such as α Arietis, is Arietis.
