VELA (CONSTELLATION)

'Vela' (IPA: , ) is a southern constellation, one of the four parts into which Argo Navis was split (the others being Carina, Puppis and Pyxis).

Contents

Notable features

Notable deep sky objects

History

False Cross

Reference

External links

Notable features

The brightest star in the constellation, γ Velorum, is a bright 1.75^m supergiant star. The star is actually quintuple, the primary component is famous for being the brightest Wolf-Rayet star in the sky.

Notable deep sky objects

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. The remnant contains a pulsar which was the first pulsar to be identified optically.

History

Since Vela was originally part of the Argo Navis, it has no pre-17th century mythology associated with it independently. However, Vela is one of the four constellations that used to form the former constellation of Argo Navis, the ship of the Argonauts, of which Vela happens to be the sail.

False Cross

The 'False Cross' is an asterism formed of the stars δ Velorum and κ Velorum and ι Carinae and ε Carinae. It is sometimes mistaken for the Southern Cross, causing errors in astronavigation.

Reference

★ Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). ''Collins Stars and Planets Guide'', HarperCollins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209.

External links

★ 'WIKISKY.ORG': Vela