Spica

Spica (α Virginis) is a blue-white giant star in the constellation Virgo. With an apparent magnitude of 0.98 it is the 16th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 303 light-years from Earth.

Finder chart showing where Spica is in the constellation Virgo
Spica (circled) in Virgo, with the surrounding constellations and bright stars.
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Facts

ConstellationVirgo
Designationα Virginis (Alpha Virginis), HR 5056
Apparent magnitude0.98 (16th brightest)
Spectral typeB1III-IV+B2V
Colorblue-white (B−V -0.23)
Distanceabout 303 light-years
Right ascension13 h 25.2 min
Declination−11.16°
Best monthMay (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find Spica

Spica is in Virgo. From 40° N it is highest in the south in May evenings, about 39° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 66° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Gienah (18° away), Menkent (27° away) and Arcturus (33° away).

Virgo constellation →

Other named stars in Virgo

VindemiatrixHezeMinelauvaZavijavaPorrimaZaniahSyrmaKangKhambaliaElgafar

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