The Virgo constellation
Vir · Catalogue stars: 34
Why this name?
Virgo is depicted as a female figure, often holding an ear of grain. Ancient authors associated her with various deities, including Dike, the goddess of justice.
A little history
The constellation belongs to the ancient zodiac and Ptolemy’s catalogue. The Latin name of its brightest star, Spica, means ‘ear of grain’, preserving the agricultural figure on old charts.
Data
- IAU code
- Vir
- Catalogue stars
- 34
- Messier objects
- 11
- Brightest star
- Spica · 1.0ᵐ
Messier objects
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 0 · 3.5ᵐ · F0 V
- HIP 72220 · 3.7ᵐ · A0V
- HIP 71957 · 3.9ᵐ · F2III
- HIP 57380 · 4.0ᵐ · M0III
- HIP 58948 · 4.1ᵐ · G8III
- HIP 68520 · 4.2ᵐ · A3V
- HIP 64238 · 4.4ᵐ · A1V
- HIP 73620 · 4.4ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 58590 · 4.7ᵐ · A5V
- HIP 61740 · 4.7ᵐ · K2III
- HIP 66006 · 4.7ᵐ · M3III
- HIP 64924 · 4.7ᵐ · G5V
- HIP 65639 · 4.8ᵐ · K1IIICN...
- HIP 62985 · 4.8ᵐ · M3IIIvar
- HIP 64852 · 4.8ᵐ · M2III
- HIP 57328 · 4.8ᵐ · A4V
- HIP 61960 · 4.9ᵐ · A0V
- HIP 66200 · 4.9ᵐ · A1p SrCrEu
- HIP 69269 · 4.9ᵐ · M1III
- HIP 67494 · 5.0ᵐ · K0III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 28° | 95° |
| +55° | 33° | 94° |
| +45° | 43° | 93° |
| +30° | 58° | 93° |
| 0° | 88° | 92° |
| −35° | 57° | 93° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 05:33 |
| February | 03:26 |
| March | 01:41 |
| April | 23:47 |
| May | 21:53 |
| June | 19:47 |
| July | 17:43 |
| August | 15:42 |
| September | 13:49 |
| October | 12:00 |
| November | 09:59 |
| December | 07:51 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Virgo?
Spica — 1.0ᵐ.