Vela

Quick Facts

Name:	Vela VEE-lah
Meaning:	Sails
Abbreviation:	Vel
Genitive:	Velorum
Visible in Latitudes:	30° thru -90°
Viewing Season:	Spring
Best Seen In:	March, 9:00 pm
Transit Date:	January 23
Right Ascension:	9.68 hours
Declination:	-47.5 degrees
Area:	499.649 sq. degrees

Star Diagram

Star Diagram: Vela

About Vela

Vela, the sails, was created from the old constellation of Argo Navis, the ship of Jason and the Argonauts. Fifty Argonauts guided the ship from Iolchis in Thessaly to Aea in Colchis. They sought the golden fleece; when the voyage was over, Athene placed the boat in the sky.

Named Stars

Name		Star

Suhail al Muhlif		Gamma 2 Vel
Alsuhail		Lambda Vel

Neighboring Constellations

Antlia
Carina
Puppis

Pyxis
Vela