1. A small zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere; between Pisces and Taurus.
2. The first sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from March 21 to April 19; Also called: Aries the Ram.
Zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere between Pisces and Taurus, near Auriga, represented as the legendary ram whose golden fleece was sought by Jason and the Argonauts.
Its most distinctive feature is a curve of three stars of decreasing brightness. The brightest of these is Hamal or Alpha Arietis, 65 light-years from Earth.
The Sun passes through Aries from late April to mid-May. In astrology, the dates for Aries are between about 21 March and 19 April (see precession). The spring equinox once lay in Aries, but has now moved into Pisces through the effect of the Earth's precession (wobble).