| Constellation | |
List of stars in Ara |
|
| Abbreviation | Ara |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Arae |
| Pronunciation | /ˈɛərə/, genitive /ˈɛəriː/[1] |
| Symbolism | the Altar |
| Right ascension | 17.39 h |
| Declination | −53.58° |
| Quadrant | SQ3 |
| Area | 237 sq. deg. (63rd) |
| Main stars | 7 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
17 |
| Stars with planets | 7 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 2 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 3 |
| Brightest star | β Ara (2.84m) |
| Nearest star | Gliese 674 (14.80 ly, 4.54 pc) |
| Messier objects | 0 |
| Meteor showers | None |
| Bordering constellations |
Corona Australis Scorpius Norma Triangulum Australe Apus Pavo Telescopium |
| Visible at latitudes between +25° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July. |
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Ara ( /ˈɛərə/) is a southern constellation situated between Scorpius and Triangulum Australe. Its name is Latin for "altar". Ara was one of the 48 Greek constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union.
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Ara's brightest star, β Arae, has an apparent magnitude of 2.9. γ Arae is a double star just south of β. μ Arae is believed to have at least four planets orbiting it, one of which may be rocky in nature.
The constellation's stars have no names in Western culture, but the Chinese call α Arae "Choo" ("club" or "staff"), and ε Arae "Tso Kang", meaning 'left guard'.
The northwest corner of Ara is crossed by the Milky Way and contains several open clusters (notably NGC 6200) and diffuse nebulae (including the bright cluster/nebula pair NGC 6188 and NGC 6193). The brightest of the globular clusters, sixth magnitude NGC 6397, lies at a distance of just 6,500 light-years (6.1×1016 km), making it one of the closest globular cluster to the solar system.[2]
Although Ara lies close to the heart of the Milky Way, two spiral galaxies (NGC 6215 and NGC 6221) are visible near star η Arae.[2]
The Stingray Nebula (Hen 3-1357), the youngest known planetary nebula as of 2010, formed in Ara; the light from its formation was first observable around 1987.
In illustrations, Ara is usually depicted as an altar with its smoke 'rising' southward.[3]
In ancient Greek mythology, Ara was identified as the altar, made by the Cyclops, where the gods first made offerings and formed an alliance when they were about to fight the Titans.[4]
In Chinese astronomy, the stars of the constellation Ara lie within The Azure Dragon of the East (東方青龍, Dōng Fāng Qīng Lóng).[5]
USS Ara (AK-136) was a United States Navy Crater class cargo ship named after the constellation.
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