SkyEye: Aries

The Ram

Abbreviation:	Ari
Genitive:	Arietis
Origin:	[antiquity]
Fully Visible:	58°S – 90°N

Aries is a member of the zodiac. This is one of the most ancient of constellations, harking back to Babylonia. The Egyptians associated Aries with the ram-headed god Amon-Ra and the ancient Greeks thought it was the ram whose golden fleece was so avidly sought by Jason and his Argonauts. (Jason's ship, the Argo, also existed as a constellation but has since been broken into its component parts: Carina, the keel, Puppis, the stern, and Vela, the sails.) The extinct constellation Musca Borealis (Northern Fly) is sometimes seen hovering over the ram's back in older star atlases.

The constellation of Aries

Notable Features

Visible Named Stars
α Ari	Hamal	This star appears as Al Natih (from the Arabic al‑naṭḥ meaning 'the butting with the horns') in Mohammad Al Achsasi Al Mouakket's calendarium.
β Ari	Sheratan	In Hindu astronomy, β Ari and γ Ari together are known as Ashvini, from the Sanskrit aśvinī meaning 'the physician to the gods'.
γ Ari	Mesarthim	This is a double star which can be split easily with a small telescope. It was one of the first double stars discovered after the invention of the telescope.
δ Ari	Botein	The name of this star comes from the Arabic al‑buṭayn, meaning 'the belly' and is the brightest of the stars in the ram's belly.
39 Ari	Lilii Borea	The name of this star first appeared on page 164 of Nicolas Louis de Lacaille's Astronomiæ Fundamenta Novissimis (Paris, 1757).
41 Ari	Bharani	The name Lilii Australis for this star first appeared on page 164 of Nicolas Louis de Lacaille's Astronomiæ Fundamenta Novissimis (Paris, 1757).
Meteor Shower Radiants
171 ARI	Daytime Arietids	This is one of the most intense of the daytime meteor showers. The Arietids are active from late May to early July, peaking in early June. Their origin is uncertain but the source may be the comet 96P/Machholz. Although primarily a daytime shower, some meteors may be detected before sunrise.