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Stars and Sticks| Abbreviation | Ari |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Ram |
| Pronunciation Guide is based on “Pronouncing Astronomical Names,” published in 1943 by the American Astronomical Society. | AIR-eez |
| Genitive The genitive is the Latin possessive form used in star names. For example, Alpha Orionis means “the Alpha of Orion.” | air-EYE-ih-tis |
| Best Month | December |
| Visibility | Global |
| Origin | AncientThese figures are rooted in the classical Greek and Mesopotamian traditions cataloged by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. |
| Author | PtolemyPtolemy, a 2nd-century Greco-Egyptian astronomer, cataloged the 48 classical constellations in his landmark work, the Almagest. These form the core of the 88 modern constellations recognized today. |
| Type | constellation |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Description | The ram of Aries carries one of mythology's most storied fleeces — a golden gift from Hermes that saved the royal children Phrixus and Helle from their murderous stepmother. Phrixus sacrificed the ram in gratitude and hung its fleece in the sacred grove of Ares in Colchis, where it became the prize sought by Jason and the Argonauts. For centuries Aries marked the Vernal Equinox — the 'first point of Aries' — making it the most astronomically significant constellation of the ancient world; due to precession this point has since drifted into Pisces. The brightest star, Hamal (Alpha Arietis), is an orange giant about 66 light-years away whose name derives from the Arabic for 'head of the ram.' |
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Monthly sky charts courtesy of What's Out Tonight? — Copyright ©2026 Ken Graun. Star charts are optimized for mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Click a chart to view or download the PDF. For guidance on using the chart, or to purchase a planisphere and astronomy books, visit kenpress.com.
Images: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/E. Slawik · IAU and Sky & Telescope · Stellarium — Full credits →
