What is the history of the constellation vela?

Answer 1

Vela in Latin means "sails" as in the sails of a ship. The constellation Vela was once included in the constellation Argo Navis which is Latin for "the ship Argo" or the ship used by Jason and the Argonauts in Greek mythology. The constellation Argo Navis (so named by Ptolemy in the 2nd century) was considered to be too large by modern astronomers and so has been divided into three parts, Vela (the sails), Carina (the hull or keel) and Puppis (the upper deck).

Answer 2

The constellation Vela represents the sails of the ship Argo Navis in ancient Greek mythology. It was later divided into separate constellations including Vela by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century. Vela is now recognized as one of the 88 modern constellations by the International Astronomical Union.