Vela - Sails (of the Argo)

Learn about the constellation Vela - Sails (of the Argo), location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Vela is a southern constellation, one of the four parts into which Argo Navis was split. The other parts are Carina, Puppis and Pyxis.

Location: Southern Constellation 9h RA -50° Dec

Of the deep sky objects of interest in Vela is a planetary nebula known as the NGC 3132 (nicknamed Eight-burst nebula). Also of interest within the constellation is the Vela Supernova Remnant. This is the nebula of a supernova explosion which is believed to have been visible from the Earth around 10,000 years ago.

Vela Mythology

Since Vela was originally part of the Argo Navis, it has no pre-17th-century mythology associated with it independently.

Vela Deep Space Objects

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.