Aries: The Ram
Pronunciation: AIR-eez
Aries as depicted by Johann Bayer in his Uranometria (1603). Source image provided by www.RareMaps.com — Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc.
| Aries Constellation Profile | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation: Ari | Genitive: Arietis |
| Origin: Ancient | Location: Northern Hemisphere |
| Best View (North): Autumn | Best View (South): |
| Bordering Constellations: Perseus, Triangulum, Pisces, Cetus, Taurus | |
The Myth Behind the Constellation Aries
Aries is the flying, talking ram with the Golden Fleece that saved the children Phrixus and Helle from their treacherous stepmother. The two jumped on the Ram’s back and it carried them off. While they were crossing the sea, Helle fell off the ram and drowned. The straight she fell into was named the Hellespont after her. When Phrixus reached safety he sacrificed the ram to Zeus, and gave its fleece to King Aeëtes, who nailed it to a tree where it was guarded by a dragon until Jason and the Argonauts came for it.Aries Constellation Points of Interest
Interesting stars and objects.Bright Stars in Aries
These are the stars in Aries with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.| Name | Bayer Name | Magnitude | Color | Luminosity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamal | Alpha Arietis | 2.01 | Orange | 90 suns | 66 ly |
| Sheratan | Beta Arietis | 2.64 | White | 27 suns | 60 ly |