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Gamma Velorum is a double star in the constellation Vela, with each of the two stars a spectroscopic binary. This name is the Bayer designation for the star, which is Latinised from γ Velorum and abbreviated γ Vel. At a combined magnitude of +1.72, it is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, and contains by far the closest and brightest Wolf–Rayet star. It has the traditional name Suhail al Muhlif and the modern name Regor , (2025). 9781931559447, Sky Pub. ISBN 9781931559447 but neither is approved by the International Astronomical Union, making it the brightest star by apparent magnitude without an IAU approved name.
The γ Velorum system includes a pair of stars separated by 41, each of which is also a spectroscopic binary system. γ2 Velorum, the brighter of the visible pair, contains the Wolf–Rayet star and a blue supergiant, while γ1 Velorum contains a blue giant and an unseen companion.
γ2 Velorum has been revealed as a gamma-ray emitter on the basis of Fermi measurements showing a modulation fully compliant with its orbital period. This discovery allows this system to be part of the category of Particle-Accelerating Colliding-Wind Binaries (PACWB), binary systems made of massive stars whose winds collide, resulting in particle acceleration.
The dimmer (apparent magnitude +4.2) γ1 Velorum or γ Velorum B, is a spectroscopic binary with a period of 1.48 days. Only the primary is detected and it is a blue-white giant star. It is separated from the Wolf–Rayet binary by 41.2″, easily resolved with binoculars. The pair are too close to be separated without optical assistance, and they appear to the naked eye as a single star of apparent magnitude 1.72 (at the average brightness of γ2 of 1.83).
Gamma Velorum has several fainter companions that share a common motion and are likely to be members of the Vela OB2 association. The magnitude +7.3 CD−46°3848 is a white F0 star at is 62.3 arcseconds from the A component. At 93.5 arcseconds is another binary star, an F0 star of magnitude +9.2.
Gamma Velorum is associated with several hundred pre-main-sequence stars within less than a degree. The ages of these stars would be at least 5 million years.
In Chinese language, 天社 (Tiān Shè), meaning Celestial Earth God's Temple, refers to an asterism consisting of γ2 Velorum, δ Velorum, κ Velorum and b Velorum. 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, . Consequently, γ2 Velorum itself is known as 天社一 (Tiān Shè yī), "the First Star of Celestial Earth God's Temple". 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表 , Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
The name Regor ("Roger" spelled in reverse) was invented as a practical joke by the Apollo 1 astronaut Gus Grissom for his fellow astronaut Roger Chaffee.Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Journal, Post-landing Activities, commentary at 105:11:33
Due to the exotic nature of its spectrum (bright in lieu of dark ) it is also dubbed the Spectral Gem of Southern Skies.
Etymology
The Arabic name is al Suhail al Muḥlīf. al Muhlif refers to the oath-taker, and al Suhail is originally derived from a word meaning the plain. Suhail is used for at least three other stars: Canopus, λ Velorum (al Suhail al Wazn) and ζ Puppis (Suhail Hadar). Suhail is also a common Arabic male first name.
See also
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