Mythology and History
Once considered part of Centaurus and Lupus, this became an individual constellation when the Norma was made. Its original name was Ara Centauri, probably because it is supposed to be the Altar to Chiron, who was believed to be the wisest creature on Earth.
This constellation is most easily found by looking beneath Scorpius' tail.
Stars
alpha-Spectral Type-B3 V Magnitude-3.0 Distance-190ly
beta-Spectral Type-K3 Ib Magnitude-2.9 Distance-780ly
gamma-double star Spectral Types-B1 III, unknown Magnitudes-3.3, 12 Distance-1,100ly
delta-Spectral Type-B8 V Magnitude-3.8 Distance-150ly
epsilon1-Spectral Type-M1 III Magnitude-4.1 Distance-265ly
epsilon2-Spectral Type-F8 V Magnitude-5.4 Distance-62ly
zeta-Spectral Type-K5 III Magnitude-3.1 Distance-135ly
eta-Spectral Type-K5 III Magnitude-3.8 Distance-190ly
theta-Spectral Type-B1 II Magnitude-3.8 Distance-1,600ly
Star Clusters
In the northwest corner of Ara are some interesting star clusters. NGC 6167 is about 3,500ly and has a magnitude of about 6.4. It contains well over 100 stars. NGC 6193 is an open cluster of about 30 visible stars having an overall magnitude of 5.0. NGC 6204is a faint cluster (magnitude of about 8.7) containing about 70 stars. NGC 6397 is a bright globular cluster of about 4.7. It is located east of the line connecting alpha and beta Ara. It is one of the closer globulars with a distance of 8,200ly. NGC 6362 is another globular cluster of about 7.1. It can be hard finding this, since it is at the border of Ara. IC 4651 is an open cluster containing about 200 stars. This cluster has a magnitude of about 7.8 and it is 4,700ly away.
Nebulae
NGC 6188 is a field of diffuse nebula in the same region as the clusters NGC 6167 and 6193. Complex mixes of dark and bright clouds make it a sight to be seen.
Galaxies
NGC 6215, 6221, 6300 are all spirals of about 11th magnitude located in the borders of Ara. The first two are within a degree of each other, and the last one is about 5 degrees Southwest of them.