Kappa Velorum

Kappa Velorum (κ Velorum, abbreviated Kappa Vel or κ Vel; proper nameMarkeb) is star system in the southern constellation of Vela. It is binary star consisting of two components, designated A and B; κ Vel A is by far the brighter of the two, so dominates the combined light.

From parallax measurements, this system is located at a distance of roughly 572 light-years (175 parsecs) from the Sun. The apparent visual magnitude is 2.48, making it readily visible to the naked eye in the southern hemisphere. It forms part of an asterism known as the False Cross along with Delta Velorum, Iota Carinae and Epsilon Carinae, so called because it is sometimes mistaken for the Southern Cross, causing errors in astronavigation.