Vela Constellation
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Vela, the sails, is a southern constellation that was once part of Argo Navis, representing the sails of a ship.
Vela Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
Moonrise, 31.2% illuminated  | 23:22 | -63° |
| Vela transit | 09:08 | 3° |
| Moonset | 14:56 | -26° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:26 | -59° |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:45 | -22° |
| Vela rise | 07:25 | |
| Vela set | 10:43 |
Track Vela Position Throughout the Night
← 7 September 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Shift the map to change the time and observe Vela changing position in the night sky.
Nebulae in the constellation Vela
Annual motion of Vela
| Date | Mon, 7 September 2026 |
| Twilight start | 18:54 |
| Twilight end | 03:07 |
| Twilight duration | 8h 13m |
| Rise | 07:25 |
| Set | 10:43 |
| Elevation at transit | 3° |
| Transit time | 09:04 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 09h 03m 58s", Dec: -49° 54' 52s |
| Magnitude | - |
| Constellation |
The graph illustrates the constellation’s annual visibility pattern and its daily rise, set, and transit times throughout the year.
The vertical axis shows the hours of the day, while the horizontal axis spans the days of the year.
The reddish area marks when the constellation is above the horizon. The white line shows when it reaches its highest point in the sky. View detailed visibility information in a table with rise, transit, and set times for each date.
The vertical axis shows the hours of the day, while the horizontal axis spans the days of the year.
The reddish area marks when the constellation is above the horizon. The white line shows when it reaches its highest point in the sky. View detailed visibility information in a table with rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries used in celestial mapping.
Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for producing the charts and tables. Alan MacRobert’s constellation patterns were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and adjusted to align with earlier traditions.