Vela, the Sails (Vel)

(VEE-luh)

The Southern constellation of Vela, the Sails, is best viewed in Spring during the month of March. It's brightest star is Gamma Velorum at magnitude 1.75. The boundary of the Vela constellation contains 7 stars that host known exoplanets.

Luhman is the 3rd closest star to Earth at 6.5 light years.

1. Pronunciation:
2. VEE-luh

1. Meaning:
2. Sails

1. Genitive:
2. Velorum

1. Abbreviation:
2. Vel

1. Constellation Family:
2. Heavenly Waters

1. Hemisphere:
2. Southern

1. Quadrant:
2. SQ2

1. Best viewing month*:
2. March

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 9h 20m

1. Declination (avg):
2. -48° 29'

1. Brightest star:
2. Gamma Velorum (1.75)

1. Stars with planets:
2. 7

1. X-ray stars:
2. 3 stars

1. Messier catalog objects:
2. |

Brightest Stars in Vela

The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Vela by magnitude.

1. Star
2. Magnitude
3. Spectral class

1. Gamma Velorum (γ² Vel)
2. 1.83
3. WC8 + O7.5

1. Delta Velorum (δ Vel)
2. 1.96
3. A1Va(n)

1. Lambda Velorum (λ Vel)
2. 2.21
3. K4Ib-II

1. Kappa Velorum (κ Vel)
2. 2.47
3. B2IV

1. Mu Velorum (μ Vel)
2. 2.69
3. G5III SB

1. Nu Velorum (N Vel)
2. 3.16
3. K5III

1. Phi Velorum (φ Vel)
2. 3.52
3. B5Ib

1. Omicron Velorum (ο Vel)
2. 3.6
3. B3IV

1. HD 78004
2. 3.75
3. K2III

1. HD 74180
2. 3.81
3. F3Ia

Star Clusters in Vela

The most notable and easy-to-find star clusters in the constellation Vela . Also see all star clusters.

1. Star cluster
2. Catalog #
3. Cluster type

1. NGC 2547
3. open

1. NGC 3201
3. globular

1. Omicron Velorum Cluster
2. C85
3. open

1. Trumpler 10
3. open

Nebulae in Vela

Notable and easy-to-find nebulae in the constellation Vela . Also see all nebulae.

1. Nebula name
2. Catalog #
3. Nebula type

1. Eight-burst Nebula
3. planetary

1. Pencil Nebula
3. emission

1. Vela Junior
3. supernova remnant

1. Vela SNR
3. supernova remnant

Neutron Stars in Vela

These are the most well-known neutron stars in the constellation Vela. Although neutron stars cannot be seen in any amateur telescope, they are at the center of many supernova remnant nebulae, which can be seen. Also see all neutron stars.

1. Neutron star
3. Type

1. Vela Junior pulsar
3. pulsar

1. Vela Pulsar
3. pulsar

1. Vela X-1
3. X-ray pulsar

* Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).