Altar
Altar (Arae)
Ara, the Altar, is an ancient constellation representing a ceremonial altar used for sacrifices by the gods. Located in the southern Milky Way between Scorpius and Triangulum Australe, Ara contains rich star fields, nebulae, and star clusters. Despite being small, this classical Greek constellation has been recognized for over 2,000 years.
📜 Mitologia
In Greek mythology, Ara represents the altar upon which the Olympian gods swore their allegiance before their war against the Titans. After their victory, the altar was placed among the stars as a memorial. In some versions, it is the altar where Centaurus (the wise centaur Chiron) is about to sacrifice Lupus (the Wolf). The smoke from the altar is said to rise toward the north, which is why the constellation appears upside-down from northern latitudes.
💡 Fatos curiosos
- ✦The Stinger Nebula (NGC 6302) nearby is one of the most complex planetary nebulae known
- ✦NGC 6397 is one of the closest globular clusters to Earth at about 7,800 light-years
- ✦Ara lies in one of the brightest sections of the Milky Way