Suhail
Also known as λ Vel · HR 3634
Suhail is a red supergiant star in the constellation Vela, about 540 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Red supergiant star (spectral type K4Ib) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Vela |
| Position (J2000) | 9h 07m 59s, −43° 25′ |
| Distance | 540 light-years (its light set off about 540 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 2.21 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 231 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Suhail is highest in the sky at midnight in February. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 27° above the horizon; from 50° N it never rises. To see it you need the naked eye, even from a town.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Vela
- Alsephina
- Markeb
- Pencil Nebula (NGC 2736)
- Southern Ring Nebula
- Vela Pulsar
- Vela Supernova Remnant
- Vela X-1
Everything in Vela · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits