Aries

Is the first sign of the greek zodiac .  Features a line of three stars.2000 years ago, the Spring Equinox occured when the Sun was in this constellation. , marking the beginning of spring.

Aries - Latin for "the Ram"

Aries , the golden ram

The history of the Golden Ram begins when Athamas, king of Orchomenus, had left his wife, to marry Ino, who was a daughter of  the king of Thebes.

In order to secure that her own son would inherit the kingdom, Ino planned the destruction of Athamas'son, Phrixus and his daughter Helle.  Messengers were sent to the Delphic Oracle for guidance. Ino then bribed the returning messengers to change the oracle: Phrixus must be sacrificad. But just as he raised the knife over his son, a golden winged ram appeared, taking Phrixus and Helle on his back and carry them away.

While they were crossing Europe from Asia, Helle fell into the water and die. Phrixus came safely to the country of Colchis on the Black Sea. The people,were kind to Phrixus and their king, Aetes let him marry one of his daughters. In gratitude to god Zeus for having being saved, Phrixus sacrificed the ram and gave his golden fleece as a present, to king Aetes.

How to find Aries in the night sky

Aries, a constellation in the northern hemisphere, is best visible in the winter and autumn skies.

Aries looks nothing like a ram. However, it is possible to identify Aries using some of its neighboring constellations as guides. Aries have one semi-bright star called Hamal. If you can find it, you have basically identified Aries. Hamal is west of of Pegasus and northeast of Taurus. When you spot Hamal, look to the southeast close by for the next star of Aries. After that, look downward from the second star and you will have seen all there is to see of this Aries constellation.