Aries constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Aries (Ari) is a equatorial constellation covering 441 square degrees, number 39 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Hamal, a orange giant, magnitude 2.0. It is best seen in the evening in December. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Cetus, Perseus, Pisces, Taurus, Triangulum.
Area: 441 square degrees, 39 of 88 · Neighbours: Cetus, Perseus, Pisces, Taurus, Triangulum · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Aries
- 1
When to look
The best time is in December in the evening: in the south, around 20:29.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Cetus, Perseus, Pisces, Taurus.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Hamal (2.0ᵐ), Sheratan (2.6ᵐ), Bharani (3.6ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January | in the south, around 18:26 | in the evening |
| February | in the southwest, around 18:29 | in the evening |
| March | in the west, around 19:17 | in the evening |
| April — june | — | not visible, behind the Sun |
| July | in the east, around 03:00 | before dawn |
| August | in the southeast, around 04:18 | before dawn |
| September | in the south, around 03:28 | before dawn |
| October — november | in the south, around 01:34 | around midnight |
| December | in the south, around 20:29 | in the evening |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Hamal · α Ari | orange giant | 2.0ᵐ |
| Sheratan · β Ari | white main-sequence star | 2.6ᵐ |
| Bharani · 41 Ari | blue-white main-sequence star | 3.6ᵐ |
| γ² Ari | white star | 4.8ᵐ |
Aries FAQ
When is the best time to see Aries?
Where is Aries in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Aries?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0