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Star profile

Hamal

Alpha Arietis · Aries

3D likeness based on its real data · class K · ~4,200 K

What is Hamal

Hamal is the Alpha of Aries, the head of the celestial ram — its Arabic name «raʾs al-ḥamal» means exactly that. More than two thousand years ago it marked the spring equinox, lending its position to the «vernal point» that precession has since carried elsewhere. An orange K-class giant some 66 light-years away, it is an ageing star that has begun to swell and cool to the warm tone of a distant flame.

Where it is and when to see it

Hamal lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is October, when it culminates around midnight.

  • From London it culminates about 62° above the horizon.
  • From New York it culminates about 73° above the horizon.
  • From Sydney it culminates about 33° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 67° S.

It is the brightest of the 57 stars of Aries in our catalogue, which makes it the best starting point for finding your way around the constellation.

The light you see today left it about 66 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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Leave your signature on Hamal

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Write my signature

A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for Hamal

Constellation
Aries
Apparent magnitude
2.01
Distance
65.8 light years
Coordinates (J2000)
RA 31.793° · Dec 23.462°
Catalogue
HIP 9884 · HD 12929

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Aries

Aries has 57 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 57 stars in Aries