SkyRef / Constellations

The Vela constellation

The Sails. Best placed in November. It lies south of the celestial equator and sits low for northern observers, better the further south you go.

Where and when

Also known asthe Sails
Best monthNovember
Right ascension9.6h
Declination-46°
Line segments1

Finding it

Vela, known in English as the Sails, is centred near right ascension 9.6 hours, declination -46°. It lies south of the celestial equator and sits low for northern observers, better the further south you go.

It reaches its highest point in the sky around local midnight in November, which is when it is easiest to pick out. Earlier in the year it rises before dawn; later, it is already setting in the evening.

Star patterns inside it

Not every shape people point out is a constellation. These are asterisms — patterns picked out of Vela by eye and by habit, with no official standing.

the False Cross

See it on the live map

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Other constellations

AndromedaAntliaApusAquariusAquilaAraAriesAurigaBoötesCaelumCamelopardalisCancerCanes VenaticiCanis MajorCanis MinorCapricornusCarinaCassiopeiaCentaurusCepheusCetusChamaeleonCircinusColumbaComa BerenicesCorona AustrinaCorona BorealisCorvusCraterCruxCygnusDelphinusDoradoDracoEquuleusEridanusFornaxGeminiGrusHercules