Constellation of Ara
DMI image reference Ara.    « Previous || Next » Constellations A » H || Constellations I » V
Ara
Roll mouse over picture to see constellation figures and outlines
Image and text ©2008 Akira Fujii/David Malin Images.

In the picture above, north is at top right and the image covers 33.5 x 26.8 degrees.
Image centre is located at 17h 23.0m, -50d 50m ((J2000).

Ara
Best seen in the early evening in July

Ara (the Altar) is an inconspicuous constellation in the southern sky. It was once considered part of Centaurus and Lupus but became separated when the 'modern' constellation Norma was created by Lacaille in the 1750s. It was recognised by the Greeks and Romans and was visualised as the altar on which the Centaur, Centaurus, was to sacrifice Lupus, the Wolf. This is reflected in its Latin name, Ara Centauri.

The constellation is the 63rd largest in the sky and covers about 237 square degrees. The best-known objects in this field are some diffuse dusty nebulae and star clusters (see below). The only named star in Ara is Karnot Mizbeach (β Ara).

Adjoining constellations:   Corona Australis, Norma, Pavo, Scorpius, Telescopium, Triangulum Australe

Related images (other sources)
AAT 74   Reflection nebulae in NGC 6188
AAT 74a Reflection nebulae in NGC 6188, wide field
AAT 75   Dust and nebulosity in NGC 6188 and 6193
AAT 75a Dust and nebulosity in NGC 6188 and 6193, wide field

Milky Way & Crux | constellations, wide field | the constellations | planets & stars | binocular views
| star trails | solar eclipses | moon & lunar eclipses | comets & aurorae | Contact DMI

David Malin, 2017 April 29.