Gamma Velorum

γ Velorum (Gamma Velorum, short γ Vel ) is a star system in the constellation Vela. It is approximately 1000 light years away. This young system is associated with the Vela OB2 association and the Gum Nebula. A historic proper name is Suhail and Suhail al - actually Muhlif ( سهيل of Arab المحلف, DMG Suhail al - muḥlif ).

Already in binoculars can be the star in the components γ1 Velorum ( γ Velorum and B) and γ2 Velorum ( γ Velorum also A) separate. You have an angular distance of 41 ", 2 and be at a position angle of 220 °.

The component A, γ2 Velorum, is a massive spectroscopic binary star system (double -lined ) with an orbital period of 78.5 days and consists of a blue supergiant and Wolf- Rayet star. A further component with the label P has been detected by observation in the infrared range by means of adaptive optics at a distance of 4 ", 7 to a position angle of 13 °. It is likely a physical companion and their data fit a K4 star slightly above the main sequence.

Component B, γ1 Vel, was classified as B1 IV and has a brightness of 4.2 mag. It was resolved by speckle interferometry at Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo as a double star with components Ba and Bb

Trivia

The occasionally encountered Name Regor for this star is of modern origin and goes to a joke made by the Apollo astronauts Virgil " Gus" Grissom back, the names of the Apollo 1 crew as " Navi" ( for Virgil Ivan Grissom ), " Dnoces " ( for Edward H. White the second) and " Regor " ( Roger Chaffee ) smuggled to a list of navigation stars.