Aries - The Ram
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Aries was formally a very important constellation as it contained the vernal equinox.
This is still refered to as the First Point of Aries. The vernal equinox represents right
ascension 0, and the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north.
Aries represents the ram whose golden fleece was sought by Jason and the Argonaughts. The brightest star
in Aries is the yellow giant Hamal (mag. 2.0). Hamal is Arabic for sheep. Aries has a few interesting
double stars, but the showpiece double is that of gamma Arietis. Both stars are white and of the 5th
magnitude. Aries is shown on the right from Bode's 1801 celestial atlas, Uranographia.