Constellation · Vel
Vela
The Sails
A southern section of the old Argo Navis that contains the Vela Pulsar and the Vela supernova remnant.
Magnitude 1.75
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (spring in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Vela
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Regor (Gamma² Velorum)mag 1.75
- Alsephina (Delta Velorum)mag 1.93
- Suhail (Lambda Velorum)mag 2.23
- Markeb (Kappa Velorum)mag 2.47
- Markeb (k Velorum)mag 4.63
Can you see Vela from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Vela |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Never rises |
| 40°N | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
Questions about Vela
When is Vela best seen?
Vela stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in April. That makes spring evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Vela?
The brightest star in Vela is Regor (Gamma² Velorum), magnitude 1.75.
Where on Earth can you see Vela?
The whole of Vela can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 33°N. From 40°N: Only part of it ever clears the horizon. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Vela mean?
Vela is Latin for "the Sails". A section of the ancient Argo Navis, split up by Lacaille in the 1750s.