Virgo constellation
Virgo (the Maiden) is a constellation on the celestial equator, best seen in the evening in May. Its brightest star is Spica (magnitude 0.98). Virgo covers 1,294 square degrees and is the 2nd-largest of the 88 constellations.
Free to use with credit: Atlas of the Sky (constellationmap.org), CC BY 4.0 · More
Embed this image on your website
How to find Virgo, step by step
"Arc to Arcturus, then speed on to Spica".
- On spring evenings find the Big Dipper high in the north.
- Follow the curve of the handle (Alioth, Mizar, Alkaid) away from the bowl: the arc leads to bright orange Arcturus in Boötes.
- Continue the curve the same distance again to Spica, the brightest star of Virgo, low in the southeast to south.
Detailed star map of Virgo
Facts
| Latin name | Virgo (genitive: Virginis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Vir |
| Meaning | the Maiden |
| Area | 1,294 square degrees (2nd of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 13.4 h, declination −3° |
| Visible from | latitudes 67° N to 76° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | May (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Spica |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 98 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 11 |
| Messier objects | M49, M58, M59, M60, M61, M84, M86, M87, M89, M90, M104 |
| Neighbors | Boötes, Coma Berenices, Crater, Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Libra, Serpens |
How to find Virgo
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in May evenings: at about 9 pm Virgo stands highest, around 47° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 58° above the horizon. The months before and after (April and June) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Virgo borders Boötes, Coma Berenices, Crater, Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Libra and Serpens.
Asterisms with stars in Virgo: Spring Triangle.
Stars of Virgo
Virgo has 98 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spica | α Virginis | 0.98 | B1III-IV+B2V | 303 ly |
| Vindemiatrix | ε Virginis | 2.83 | G8IIIab | 108 ly |
| Heze | ζ Virginis | 3.37 | A3V | 75 ly |
| Minelauva | δ Virginis | 3.38 | M3+III | 198 ly |
| Zavijava | β Virginis | 3.61 | F9V | 36 ly |
| Porrima | γ Virginis | 3.65 | F0V | 38 ly |
| — | γ Virginis | 3.68 | F0V | — |
| — | 109 Virginis | 3.72 | A0V | — |
| — | μ Virginis | 3.88 | F2III | — |
| Zaniah | η Virginis | 3.89 | A2IV | 257 ly |
| — | ν Virginis | 4.03 | M1IIIab | — |
| Syrma | ι Virginis | 4.08 | F6III | 72 ly |
Deep-sky objects in Virgo
Virgo contains 11 objects from Charles Messier's catalog:
- Messier 49 (M49): elliptical galaxy, 8.4 mag
- Messier 58 (M58): spiral galaxy, 9.7 mag
- Messier 59 (M59): elliptical galaxy, 9.6 mag
- Messier 60 (M60): elliptical galaxy, 9.2 mag
- Messier 61 (M61): spiral galaxy, 9.7 mag
- Messier 84 (M84): elliptical galaxy, 9.1 mag
- Messier 86 (M86): elliptical galaxy, 8.9 mag
- Messier 87 (M87): elliptical galaxy, 8.6 mag
- Messier 89 (M89): elliptical galaxy, 9.8 mag
- Messier 90 (M90): spiral galaxy, 9.5 mag
- Sombrero Galaxy (M104): spiral galaxy, 8.0 mag
Printable Virgo map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Virgo figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Virgo is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Virgo
What is the brightest star in Virgo?
Spica, at magnitude 0.98, about 303 light-years away.
When can you see Virgo?
Virgo is best seen in the evening in May. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 67° N and 76° S.
How many stars are in Virgo?
98 stars in Virgo are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 11 of them have official IAU names.
What does Virgo mean?
Virgo means “the Maiden” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Vir and the genitive, used in star names such as α Virginis, is Virginis.
