Name a Star in the Vela Constellation
Modified: July 1, 2023 Author: International Star Registry

The constellation Vela, The Sails, is a southern constellation that can be viewed from throughout the southern hemisphere and about as far north as Florida in late March and early February. It shares a border with Antlia, Carina, Centaurus, Puppis, and Pyxis. Vela is one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
Vela was originally part of a larger constellation “Argo Navis” created in the 2nd century by Ptolemy. This giant constellation represented the ship associated with the ancient tale of Jason and the Argonauts. Located entirely in the southern hemisphere, Argo Navis was a massive constellation which circled the south pole as the seasons changed. No longer considered a single constellation, The constellation Vela was designated independently of Argo Navis by The French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1752. The Argo Navis grouping is now subdivided into three separate constellations which make up the ship: Carina, the keel; Puppis, the stern; and Vela, the sails.
The brightest object in Vela is Gamma Velorum, which is a multiple star system that consists of six stars. It appears to the naked eye as a single object with an apparent magnitude of 1.7. It is also called Regor. Vela is a favorite constellation for people living below the equator to name a star for a sailor.
Naming a star for someone is the ultimate birthday gift idea at the International Star Registry. This is a special and personal way to celebrate their special day, and they will receive a star certificate that includes their star’s location, and the new name of the star. There is also a chart included that shows the star’s location. International Star Registry has named over 3 million stars since 1979 for people all over the world. Click here for more information.
Vela is a fascinating constellation with a rich history. It’s especially fun for sailing aficionados and travelers visiting the southern hemisphere. By naming a star for someone in Vela through International Star Registry, you can give a unique and personal gift that will be cherished for years to come.
Symbol: Vel
Right Ascension: 09:10
Declination: -49
Diameter (°): 18
Area (square °): 500
Opposition: Feb 04
Size Rank: 32nd
Brightness Rank: 14th
Genitive: Velorum
Major Stars in Vela
Regor – γ Velorum (Gamma Velorum)
Alsephina – δ Velorum (Delta Velorum)
Suhail – λ Velorum (Lambda Velorum)
Markeb – κ Velorum (Kappa Velorum)
μ Velorum (Mu Velorum)
N Velorum (HD 82668)
φ Velorum (Phi Velorum)
ο Velorum (Omicron Velorum)
ψ Velorum (Psi Velorum)
WISE 1049-5319
HD 78004 (c Velorum)
HD 74180
HD 92139
HD 75063
HD 73526
WASP-19
V390 Velorum
Deep sky objects in Vela
Eight-Burst Nebula (Southern Ring Nebula) – NGC 3132 (Caldwell 74)
Vela Supernova Remnant (Gum 16)
Vela Pulsar (PSR B0833-45)
Pencil Nebula – NGC 2736
Gum Nebula (Gum 12)
Gum 19
NGC 2670
NGC 2899
NGC 2547
NGC 3201 (Caldwell 79)
HH 47 (Herbig Haro 47)
Omicron Velorum Cluster – IC 2391 (Caldwell 85)
FAQ
Q. What is Lambda Velorum?
A. Lambda Velorum is the third brightest star in Vela. It has an apparent magnitude of about 2.2 and is also known as Suhail.
Q. What does Vela constellation mean?
A. Its name means “the sails” in Latin, and refers to the sails of the ship Argo Navis.
Q. How big is Vela?
A. Vela is the 32nd constellation in size, occupying an area of 500 square degrees.