The Constellation Directory

Ara

"The Altar"

Ara

By IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)[CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Abbreviation: Ara
Genitive: Arae
Constellation family: Hercules
Nearest constellations: Apus, Corona Australis, Norma, Pavo, Scorpius, Telescopium, and Triangulum Australe
Right ascension: 17.39h
Declination: -53.58°
Visible between latitudes: +25° and -90°
Square degrees: 237
Luminary: Beta Arae
Notable deep sky objects: M7, NGC 6193, NGC 6208, NGC 6397

About

Ara is a small constellation in the southern hemisphere that is best seen in the month July. It contains the Stingray Nebula (Hen-1357), which is the youngest known planetary nebula.

Mythology

According to some sources, Ara represents the altar of the centaur Chiron (or Centaurus), who was considered by the Greeks to be the wisest creature on Earth.

Gallery of objects in Ara

Stingray Nebula (Hen-1357):

Stingray Nebula

By NASA, Matt Bobrowsky (Orbital Sciences Corporation) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

NGC 6326 (planetary nebula):

NGC 6326 by Hubble Space Telescope

By ESA/Hubble and NASA [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

NGC 6397 (globular cluster):

NGC 6397

By NASA, ESA, and H. Richer (University of British Columbia) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

NGC 6193 (open cluster):

NGC 6193

By Rbarba [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons