Vela by Johannes Hevelius - Adaptation by Online Star Register ©
Vela (The Sails): gift, map and visability
- Meaning: The Sails
- Best seen in: March
- Family: Heavenly Waters
- Latitude: +30° to -90°
Vela or The Sails is one of the 88 constellations modern astronomers have divided the sky into. It's part of the Heavenly Waters constellation family. Vela is best seen in march (from latitudes +30° to -90°).
Vela is one of three constellations created from an ancient constellation called Argo Navis. This was the ship of Jason and the Argonauts. The other constellations besides the Sails were Carina and Puppis. The brightest star in Vela is Suhail (Gamma Velorum), a multiple star system located 336 light years from Earth. The Greek astronomer Ptolemy back in 150 AD recorded the constellation of Argo Navis. This commemorated Jason and the Argonauts and their epic journey to find the Golden Fleece.
Vela Constellation Map
Main Stars in The Sails (Vela)
The constellation Vela contains several bright stars that make up its shape. Some of these main stars are known as:
- Suhail
- Delta Velorum
- Lambda Velorum
- Markab
- Mu Velorum
- HD 82668
- Phi Velorum
Some of the deep sky objects which have been discovered in Vela include: Eight-Burst Nebula, Vela Supernova Remnant, Vela Pulsar, The Pencil Nebula, Gum Nebula, Gum 19, Omicron Velorum Cluster.
You can now name your own star in the constellation of Vela in just a few clicks. Name the star, view it in 3D and look it up with the OSR Star Finder App!
