Aries (constellation)

Aries is one of the constellations of the zodiac, located between Pisces to the west and Taurus to the east. Its name is Latin for ram, and its symbol is (Unicode ♈), representing a ram's horns. Aries was one of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modern constellations today.

Notable features

Stars

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).

Visualizations

Ancient Greek astronomers visualized Aries as a ram lying down with its head turned to the right. The stars α, β and γ Arietis mark the ram’s head and horns, according to Ptolemy's Almagest.

History

In the description of the Babylonian zodiac given in the clay tablets known as the MUL.APIN, the constellation now known as Aries was the final station along the ecliptic. It was known as ^MULLÚ.ḪUN.GÁ, "The Agrarian Worker". The MUL.APIN is held to have been compiled in the 12th or 11th century BCE, but it reflects a tradition which takes the Pleiades as marking vernal equinox, which was the case with some precision at the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age (early 3rd millennium BCE).^[1]

In later Babylonian tradition, the name of the constellation changes to ^MULUDU.NITÁ "ram". The motive for the name change is unknown. John H. Rogers suggests that the "Agrarian Worker" became the "Ram" via association with the legendary figure of Dumuzi the Shepherd. Gavin White suggests that the sumerogram  LÚ "man" may have come to be understood as Akkadian lu "sheep".^[2]

Aries only rose to its prominent position as the leading sign of the zodiac in the Neo-Babylonian (7th century BCE) revision of the Babylonian zodiac, as Hamal (α Ari) came to be located close to the point of vernal equinox.

In Hellenistic astrology, the constellation of Aries is associated with the golden ram of Greek mythology that rescued Phrixos, taking him to the land of Colchis. Phrixos sacrificed the ram to the gods and hung its skin in a temple, where it was known as the Golden Fleece.^[3]

Astrology

As of 2009^[update], the Sun appears in the constellation Aries from April 19 to May 13. In tropical astrology, the Sun is considered to be in the sign Aries from March 21 to April 20, and in sidereal astrology, from April 15 to May 15.

Equivalents

In Chinese astronomy, the stars of Aries are located within the White Tiger of the West (西方白虎, Xī Fāng Bái Hǔ).

Namesakes

Three United States navy ships have been named after the constellation Aries: USS Aries (1863), USS Aries (AK-51) and USS Aries (PHM-5).

References

1. ^ John H. Rogers, "Origins of the ancient contellations: I. The Mesopotamian traditions", Journal of the British Astronomical Association 108 (1998) 9–28
2. ^ Babylonian Star-lore by Gavin White, Solaria Pubs, page 128
3. ^ "Astronomica", chapter 20, Hyginus, translation by Mary Grant

• 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.

External links

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Aries
• NightSkyInfo.com: Constellation Aries
• Star Tales – Aries

Coordinates: 03^h 00^m 00^s, +20° 00′ 00″