Aries ( Latin: ram, symbol , Unicode ♈) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It lies between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east.

Notable features

Aries

List of stars in Aries
Abbreviation:	Ari
Genitive:	Arietis
Symbology:	the Ram
Right ascension:	3 h
Declination:	+20°
Area:	441 sq. deg. (39th)
Main stars:	3, 10
Bayer/Flamsteed stars:	65
Stars known to have planets:	3
Bright stars:	2
Nearby stars:	2
Brightest star:	α Ari (Hamal) (2.0m)
Nearest star:	Teegarden's Star (12.6? ly)
Messier objects:	0
Meteor showers:	May Arietids Autumn Arietids Delta Arietids Epsilon Arietids Daytime-Arietids Aries-Triangulids
Bordering constellations:	Perseus Triangulum Pisces Cetus Taurus
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −60° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of December

Aries' stars are rather faint except for α Ari (Hamal) and β Ari (Sharatan). Other important stars are γ Ari (Mesarthim) and δ Ari (Botein).

Teegarden's star, a recent discovery in the constellation, is one of Sun's closest neighbors around 12 light years away. It exhibits one of the largest proper motions known at about 5.06 arc seconds/yr.

Notable deep sky objects

The few deep sky objects in Aries are very dim. They include the galaxies NGC 697 (northwest of β Ari), NGC 772 (southeast of β Ari), NGC 972 (in the constellation's northern corner), and NGC 1156 (northwest of δ Ari).

Graphic visualization

The stars of the constellation Aries can be connected in an alternative way, which graphically shows the ram running (or jumping).

The ram's head consists of the stars α Ari, λ Ari, and β Ari: α Ari being of the second magnitude and beta Arietis of the third magnitude.

The ram's body consists of the stars α Ari, η Ari, ε Ari, 41 Ari, and 35 Ari: ε Ari and 41 Ari being of the fourth magnitude.

The ram's tail consists of the stars 35 Ari, 41 Ari, and 39 Ari.

The star γ Ari, of fourth magnitude, represents the ram's front foot, and the star δ Ari, also of fourth magnitude, represents the ram's hind foot.

Diagram of an alternate way to connect the stars of the Aries constellation.

Aries and Musca Borealis

Astrology and religion

The Western astrological sign Aries of the tropical zodiac (March 21–April 20) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (August 15 - October 15).

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* H. A. Rey, The Stars — A New Way To See Them. Enlarged World-Wide Edition. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1997. ISBN 0-395-24830-2.

* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

Links

* The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Aries

* NightSkyInfo.com: Constellation Aries

* Star Tales – Aries