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Virgo constellation

Virgo is a zodiac constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Spica. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.

  • Springbest seen
  • Spicabrightest star, magnitude 1.0
  • VirVirgo
Show on the sky map
The constellation Virgo in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Spica, Virgo — magnitude 1.0. Open on the sky mapSpicaDenebola, Leo — magnitude 2.1. Open on the sky mapPorrima, Virgo — magnitude 2.7. Open on the sky mapPorrimaZubenelgenubi, Libra — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapVindemiatrix, Virgo — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapVindemiatrixAlgorab, Corvus — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapHeze, Virgo — magnitude 3.4. Open on the sky mapHezeMinelauva, Virgo — magnitude 3.4. Open on the sky mapMinelauvaZavijava, Virgo — magnitude 3.6. Open on the sky map109 Virginis — magnitude 3.7. Open on the sky mapRijl al Awwa, Virgo — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapZaniah, Virgo — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapν Virginis — magnitude 4.0. Open on the sky mapSyrma, Virgo — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapο Virginis — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapKang, Virgo — magnitude 4.2. Open on the sky mapτ Virginis — magnitude 4.2. Open on the sky mapθ Virginis — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky mapKhambaliya, Virgo — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky map N ↑← E
North is up, east is left — this is how the constellation looks in the sky. Click a star to open it on the sky map.

How to find the constellation Virgo

Continue the arc from the Dipper’s handle through Arcturus — on to bluish Spica, the main star of Virgo. The other stars of the constellation are faint.

Best seen in spring: in May around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 37°.

LocationVisibility
40° NMadrid, New York, Beijingrises and sets, fully visible
52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsawrises and sets, fully visible
60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburgrises and sets, fully visible

Bright stars of the constellation

StarMagnitudeColorDistance
Spicaα Virginis 1.0blueabout 250 light years
Porrimaγ Virginis 2.7white—
Vindemiatrixε Virginis 2.9orange—
Hezeζ Virginis 3.4bluish white—
Minelauvaδ Virginis 3.4orange—
Zavijavaβ Virginis 3.6yellow—
109 Virginis 3.7bluish white—
Rijl al Awwaμ Virginis 3.9white—
Zaniahη Virginis 3.9bluish white—
ν Virginis 4.0orange—
Syrmaι Virginis 4.1yellow—
ο Virginis 4.1orange—

Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.

Questions

How do you find the constellation Virgo in the sky?

Continue the arc from the Dipper’s handle through Arcturus — on to bluish Spica, the main star of Virgo. The other stars of the constellation are faint.

When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Virgo?

In spring: in May around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.

What is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo?

Spica: magnitude 1.0, blue. Distance: about 250 light years.

How many stars are there in the constellation Virgo?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 98 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.

Spring constellations

Find it in the sky tonightA sky map over your city: where the constellation Virgo is now and when it will rise.
Open the sky map