Aries constellation

Aries is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the ram. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 October, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 63°S.

Aries at a glance

Represents
the ram
Highest at midnight
25 October
Highest at 9 pm
8 December
Seen whole from
90°N to 63°S
Brightest star
Hamal
Stars in the figure
4 stars
Origin
Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
Zodiac sign
Aries

When to see Aries

Aries is highest in the sky at midnight around 25 October and at 9 pm around 8 December. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.

The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.

When Aries is highest each month
DateHighest at
15 January18:30
15 February16:30
15 March14:40
15 April12:40
15 May10:40
15 June08:40
15 July06:40
15 August04:40
15 September02:40
15 October00:40
15 November22:30
15 December20:30

Where to look for Aries

From the northern hemisphere

From 40°N, Aries rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 25 October, 73° above the southern horizon.

From the southern hemisphere

From 35°S, Aries rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 25 October, 32° above the northern horizon.

Brightest stars in Aries

The brightest stars in Aries
StarMagnitude
Hamal2.01

Aries in myth and history

In Greek myth, the ram is the one with the golden fleece, which Jason and the Argonauts set out to find.

Aries is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.

Aries and the zodiac

In 2026, the Sun is in front of the stars of Aries from 19 April to 14 May. The zodiac sign Aries covers other dates, because astrologers split the year into 12 equal signs that start at the March equinox.

Aries zodiac sign

Constellations next to Aries

Find Aries in your sky

Questions about Aries