celestial equator. Its outer arms have a high number of Cepheid variables, which are used as standard candles to determine astronomical distances. Vindemiatrix comes from the Latin phrase meaning “the grape gatherer”. In total, Virgo contains the Messier objects M104, M61, M49, M58, M59, M60, M84, M86, M87, M89, M90, while the northern part of the Virgo Cluster (Coma–Virgo Cluster) is found in the neighboring constellation of Coma Berenices, together with 5 other galaxy-related Messier objects, namely M85, M88, M91, M98, M99, and M100. Virgo is probably best-known for the bright star Spica. This point will pass into the neighboring constellation of Leo around the year 2440. Other notable deep-sky objects in Virgo include the Eyes Galaxies, a pair of interacting galaxies that are colliding with each other, and the Butterfly Galaxies, another pair of interacting galaxies in the midst of a collision. Other stars include γ Virginis (also known as Porrima), and ε Virginis, also called Vindemiatrix. During the Middle Ages, the church associated it with the Virgin Mary. Our privacy policy is The location of Virgo varies as per the seasons, it in the northern hemisphere in summer and in the southern hemisphere in winter and autumn. Timezone: 37.13°N Compatibility: Sagittarius, Taurus, Gemini. Virgo has been associated with many goddesses throughout history. To the ancient Romans, Porrima was a goddesses of the future and prophecy. Virgo takes up an area of 1294 square degrees, and is pictured as a winged, angel-like being holding an ear of corn. Because of this, astronomers used several Cepheid variables in NGC 4639 to calibrate type 1a supernovae as standard candles for more distant galaxies. The September equinox is currently located in Virgo. [8] Its brightest star, Spica is south of the star Arcturus. In the northern hemisphere, Virgo is most visible in the evening sky from mid-March to late June. In the northern hemisphere, the Virgo is visible in the march-middle very easily to late June. All rights reserved. [7], Early Greek astronomy associated the Babylonian constellation with their goddess of wheat and agriculture, Demeter. That means the Moon passes between the Earth and Spica for a few hours, essentially covering up Spica for a brief period. Virgo does not contain many deep sky objects visible through binoculars or the naked eye. In Ancient Babylonia, Virgo was associated with the goddess Ishtar, who descended into the Underworld to rescue her husband Tammuz, the god of all harvests, in order for the Earth to again produce crops. It is a very large constellation covering a total area of 1,294 square degrees. The dike was the daughter of Zeus and Themis and the dike was with angel wings and marked by the bright star. It can be easily found through its brightest star, Spica.[1]. SS Virginis is a variable star with a noticeable red color. This edge-on spiral galaxy has a dark dust lane running across its center, giving it the appearance of a sombrero hat. 1,000 galaxies. Most cultures have interpreted Virgo's shape as a female figure. This path is known as the ecliptic. Virgo is easily visible from around the world. The constellation remains visible until mid-September. However, there is a massive galaxy cluster within Virgo's boundaries that amateurs with good telescopes can explore. Location: Southern Constellation. M87 is a giant elliptical galaxy that lies approximately 60 million light-years away. [4], M87 is the largest galaxy in the Virgo cluster, and is at a distance of 60 Mly from Earth (redshift 0.0035). The entire constellation of Virgo is shown with IAU boundaries and the brightest stars that make up the pattern. Spica lies about 250 light-years away from us, and its two stars orbit a common center of gravity approximately every four days. She is often depicted holding the scales In particular, the two galaxies at the top right of the frame are nicknamed "the Eyes". However, it is a hub of dozens of exoplanets and objects within it. The constellation’s brightest star, Spica (Latin for “head of grain,” also called Alpha Virginis), is the 15th brightest star in M58 is a beautiful barred spiral galaxy and one of the brighter galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. It is located near the Leo constellation and it is easily visible because of its objects and the celestial bodies in the sky. 61 Virginis has a multiple-planet system. Lying between Leo to the west and Libra to the east, it is the second-largest constellation in the sky (after Hydra) and the largest constellation in the zodiac. It is an ancient constellation. This is one of the two points in the sky where the celestial equator crosses the ecliptic (the other being the First Point of Aries, now in the constellation of Pisces). Star charts often show them with a Greek letter next to each star. Virgo is one of the 48 constellations first cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the second century. MDT, Light 70 Virginis has at least one planet known as a super-Jupiter, and the star χ Virginis sports a hugely massive exoplanet. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. She previously worked on a Hubble Space Telescope instrument team. It lies very close to Boötes and next to Libra. Then, extend that line to "drive a spike" through Spica, Virgo's brighest star. . Space Exploration | Space Games | Space Gallery | Space Links, Visit Us on Facebook | Follow Us on Twitter. Among these are eleven galaxies with Messier designations. Star Constellations Although under the zodiacal calendar, the Sun passes through Virgo roughly between August 23rd and September 22nd, with precession over time the Sun currently passes in front of this constellation from around September 16th to October 30th. Hence, the summer and winter seasons. Supercluster, of which the Local Group of galaxies, including the Milky Way, is Its supermassive black hole is ejecting jets of matter, creating bubbles with a diameter of up to 78 ly. For the Egyptians it represented Isis, while the Romans knew it as Ceres. To find Virgo in the evening sky, ​first locate the Big Dipper in the northern part of the sky. Virgo is brimming with galaxies that observers will need a telescope to spot, including Sombrero Galaxy. 0. Observers with good telescopes should hunt down the many galaxies that lie along the northern edge of the constellation, near Vindemiatrix. This local cluster contains over 2,000 individual galaxies that represent a wide variety of shapes and types. The Romans associated it with their goddess Ceres. The center of this cluster lies about 54 million light years from our solar system. Once you've spotted Spica, you can spot the rest of the constellation. The core of the cluster lies along the constellation's northern boundary.