Virgo
Virgo, the second-largest constellation on the ecliptic. It holds Spica, the ear of wheat, and the Virgo Cluster of some 1,300 galaxies.
Science
The scienceVirgo is the second-largest constellation of the zodiac, and its chief star Spica is an eclipsing binary in which two enormous stars orbit each other about every four days. In this direction lies the "Virgo Cluster," a gathering of more than 1,300 galaxies. Even the "Local Group" that our own Milky Way belongs to is being drawn in by the gravity of this colossal cluster.
Mythology
How it became a constellationVirgo is said to depict Demeter, goddess of agriculture and grain. When her daughter Persephone was carried off by Hades, lord of the underworld, Demeter sank into grief and neglected the earth, and the world met its first winter. Through Zeus's mediation Persephone came to spend half the year at her mother's side, and in the season when Demeter rejoices, spring and summer arrive. The chief star Spica is the "ear of wheat" she holds in her hand.
Observing Guide
how to observe🔭 How to find it
Follow the curve of the Big Dipper's handle past Arcturus and keep sweeping south to reach the pure-white first-magnitude star Spica, the endpoint of the "Spring Arc." Spica is Virgo's lead star and, shining alone and bright low in the southern evening sky, it is easy to find. Join Denebola in Leo, Arcturus in Boötes and Spica, and you have the "Spring Triangle."
✨ What to look for
Near the border with neighboring Coma Berenices sprawls the "Virgo Cluster," a swarm of more than 1,300 galaxies, home to a wealth of Messier galaxies including the bright ellipticals M49, M60 and M87. M87 in particular is the very galaxy whose central supermassive black hole was imaged for the first time in human history in 2019. West of Spica, the "Sombrero Galaxy" (M104) is an edge-on spiral resembling a broad-brimmed hat, and it is a great favorite.
📍 Where to see it (US · Canada · UK · Australia)
From the US, Canada and UK, Virgo occupies the southern sky on spring evenings (April–June); Spica, at declination −11°, stays fairly low — only about 40° up from the US and lower still from Britain — but is bright enough to spot easily, while the galaxy cluster rides higher in the constellation's northern half. From Australia the view is superb: Virgo passes high overhead, with Spica near the zenith, on autumn evenings. The cluster galaxies remain faint everywhere, so dark skies and a telescope are needed to see them well.