Ara: The Majestic Southern Starry Puzzle
Look up into the sky on a clear night, and you’ll see countless stars scattered across the dark expanse. Constellations are groupings of stars that form recognizable patterns in the night sky. One of the most beautiful constellations is Ara, which shines brightly in the southern hemisphere and is visible from June to November.
History of Ara Constellation
Ara constellation was first documented by ancient Babylonians, who saw it as a set of scales that represented the balance of justice. Later, Greeks saw it as the celestial altar used by Aesculapius, the god of medicine, to perform healing rituals. In fact, the name “Ara” is derived from the Greek word for “altar.”
Stars in Ara Constellation
Ara is home to many bright stars, including Beta Arae, which is one of the brightest stars in the constellation. Beta Arae is a blue-white supergiant star that shines with a luminosity that is 20,000 times greater than our sun. Another notable star in the constellation is Alpha Arae, which is a binary star system that consists of two nearly identical blue-white stars. These stars orbit each other in just under six days.
Deep-sky Objects in Ara Constellation
Ara constellation is also home to several stunning deep-sky objects, which are objects that are beyond our solar system. One of the most notable deep-sky objects in Ara is the NGC 6193 cluster, which is a star cluster that is visible to the naked eye from a dark location. This cluster contains many massive, young stars that are just a few million years old. Another stunning object in the constellation is the Butterfly Nebula, which is a planetary nebula that was formed when a star ejected its outer layers as it died.
Ara is a constellation that is steeped in history and mythology, as well as scientific discovery. Its bright stars and stunning deep-sky objects make it a beautiful sight to behold on a clear night in the southern hemisphere. If you’re lucky enough to see it, take a moment to appreciate the majesty of this southern starry puzzle.