Ara
Ara is a southern Constellation described by Claudius Ptolemy as one of the 48 constellations, which is still one of the main 88 modern constellations today. Ptolemy also describes this as one of the most southern Constellations (Barentine 2015). Also being recorded by Aratus in 270BC as being very close to the horizon, and proposed by Prof. Schaefer as such ancients as far south as Zeta Area for the star pattern to appear like an Altar (Schaefer 2002). Ara ranks 63rd out of 88 constellations in size by area. Its position gives anyone that is further than 22 degrees North in the southern hemisphere can see this constellation. |
Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, Ara was identified as an altar where an alliance was made with offerings before defeating the Titans (Ridpath & Tiron 2001).
Illustrations dating back as far as the late 1400s vary according to who drew the constellation. Ara is usually pictured as a classical altar with smoke blowing southward, Gaius Julius Hyginus portrayed it as surrounded by demons (Kanas 2012), and Johann Bayer depicted Ara with burning Incense. Other depictions are along the lines of similar but with animal offerings, rather like a sacrificial altar which was being burned and the smoke rising to the north.
In Greek mythology, Ara was identified as an altar where an alliance was made with offerings before defeating the Titans (Ridpath & Tiron 2001).
Illustrations dating back as far as the late 1400s vary according to who drew the constellation. Ara is usually pictured as a classical altar with smoke blowing southward, Gaius Julius Hyginus portrayed it as surrounded by demons (Kanas 2012), and Johann Bayer depicted Ara with burning Incense. Other depictions are along the lines of similar but with animal offerings, rather like a sacrificial altar which was being burned and the smoke rising to the north.
Deep sky objects
NGC 6193 - Open cluster
NGC 6200 - Open cluster
NGC 6204 – Open cluster
NGC 6208 – Open cluster
NGC 6250 – Open cluster
NGC 6253 – Open cluster
IC 4651 – Open cluster
NGC 6352 – Globular cluster
NGC 6362 – Globular cluster
NGC 6397 – Globular cluster – a very close globular cluster which can be seen with the naked eye under very dark skies.
NGC 6326 – Planetary Nebula
HEN 3-1357 – the youngest Planetary nebula currently known. (Bobrowsky 1004) but is small compared to other nebulae.
NGC 6193 - Open cluster
NGC 6200 - Open cluster
NGC 6204 – Open cluster
NGC 6208 – Open cluster
NGC 6250 – Open cluster
NGC 6253 – Open cluster
IC 4651 – Open cluster
NGC 6352 – Globular cluster
NGC 6362 – Globular cluster
NGC 6397 – Globular cluster – a very close globular cluster which can be seen with the naked eye under very dark skies.
NGC 6326 – Planetary Nebula
HEN 3-1357 – the youngest Planetary nebula currently known. (Bobrowsky 1004) but is small compared to other nebulae.
Bordering Constellations
Main stars – 17 Stars with confirmed planets – 7 Stars brighter than magnitude 3 – 2 |