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Hawaiian Astronomical Society

Constellations: Ara -- Chiron's (Dionysius', Noah's) Altar

Myth

Originally called Ara Centauri, this constellation belonged to Chiron, the centaur, represented by Centaurus. For more on this creature, click here.


Maps

Each map can be clicked on to produce a 916x1200 version of it. They sport red labels, which look good on screen, but which disappear when used with red flashlights. Each map, therefore has a second link to a map better suited for printing in a graphics program, and using in the field. While they are quite large, they are all about 50k, and so are easy to view at today's modem speeds. The first map is a wide area view of the constellation, suitable for naked eye browsing. The next views are binocular width, showing stars to mag. 10, deepsky objects to mag. 12.9, and labeling deepsky objects to magnitude 12.

Interactive, wide area map of Ara

Map thumbnail

Click the map for a 916x1200 version of the above. Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Detailed View

Map thumbnail

This a more detailed view of the constellation. The map displays stars to magnitude 10, and deepsky objects to magnitude 12. Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Images

Image thumbnail 62k JPEG NGC6397 (Bennett 98, Caldwell 86) is a globular cluster located 2.9° north-east of Beta Arae. Described as bright (mag. 5.7), very large (26'), rich (but not especially so for a globular), it contains stars at mag. 10 and fainter. From the Digital Sky Survey.
Map Printable Map

Image thumbnail 70k JPEG NGC6362 (Bennett 95) is a nice globular cluster located near the far southern border of Ara, 1.2° north-east of Zeta Apodis, and 2.7.° south-west of Eta Pavonis. Described as quite bright (mag. 8.1), large (10.7'), and very gradually much brighter middle, well resolved, with stars of magnitude 14 to 17. Other sources indicate stars of mag. 12.5 and fainter. From the Digital Sky Survey. The bright star in the upper, right (north-west) corner shines at mag. 6.9, and is cataloged as GSC 9065:3654, or HIP 85668.
Map Printable Map

Image thumbnail 15k JPEG NGC6352 (Bennett 94, Caldwell 81) is an open cluster located 1.8° north-west of Alpha Arae. Described as fairly faint (mag. 8.2), and large (2'), it contains stars mag. 12 and fainter. From the Digital Sky Survey.
Map Printable Map

Image thumbnail 49k JPEG NGC6253 (Bennett 84) is a mag. 10 open cluster in western Ara described as small (5'), triangular, and containing (about 30) magnitude 13 stars. Epsilon-1 Arae lies 27' to the south. From the Digital Sky Survey.
Map Printable Map More info.

Image thumbnail 21k JPEG NGC6193 (Caldwell 82) is a mag. 5.2 open cluster located 8.3° WNW of Alpha Arae, and 2.6° ESE of Epsilon Normae. Described as very large (15'), loose, and uncondensed, it contains about 30 stars mag. 6 and fainter. Dreyer mentions that a faint nebulosity is involved. From the Digital Sky Survey.
Map Printable Map

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