Encyclopedia > Aries
Aries
| Aries | |
larger image | |
| Abbreviation | Ari |
| Genitive | Arietis |
| Meaning in English | the Ram |
| Right ascension | 3 h |
| Declination | 20° |
| Visible to latitude | Between 90° and -60° |
| On meridian | 9 p.m., December 10 |
| Area - Total | Ranked 39th 441 sq. deg. |
| Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3 | 2 |
| Brightest star - Apparent magnitude | Hamal (α Ari) 2.0 |
| Meteor showers | |
| Bordering constellations | |
Aries refers to one of the constellations of the zodiac, the ram. It lies between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east.
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Aries' stars are rather faint except for Hamal (α Arietis) and Sharatan (β). Other important stars are Mesarthim[?] (γ1) and Botein[?] (δ).
The few deep-sky objects in Aries are very dim. They include the galaxies NGC 697 (northwest of β), NGC 772 (southeast of (β), NGC 972 (in the constellation's northern corner), and NGC 1156 (northwest of δ).
In Greek mythology, this is believed to represent the ram whose fleece inspired Jason's saga. It appears that Babylonians, Greeks, Persians and Egyptians all agreed on the name of the Ram for this constellation.
The astrological sign Aries (March 21 - April 19) is associated with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Aries is associated with the classical element Fire, and thus called a fire sign (with Sagittarius and Leo). Its polar opposite is Libra.
Constellations of the zodiac : Aries -- Taurus -- Gemini -- Cancer -- Leo -- Virgo -- Libra -- Scorpius -- (Ophiuchus) -- Sagittarius -- Capricornus -- Aquarius -- Pisces
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