Constellation · Ara
Ara
The Altar
A small southern constellation lying just south of the tail of Scorpius, in the Milky Way.
Magnitude 2.84, practically tied with Choo (Alpha Arae)
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (summer in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Ara
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Choo (Alpha Arae)mag 2.84
- Cervantes (Mu Arae)mag 5.12
Can you see Ara from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Ara |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Never rises |
| 40°N | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
Questions about Ara
When is Ara best seen?
Ara stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in July. That makes summer evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Ara?
The brightest star in Ara is Beta Arae, magnitude 2.84 (practically tied with Choo (Alpha Arae)).
Where on Earth can you see Ara?
The whole of Ara can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 22°N. From 40°N: Only part of it ever clears the horizon. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Ara mean?
Ara is Latin for "the Altar". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).