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Virgo is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for maiden , and its old astronomical symbol is . 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.
The constellation Virgo has various origins in different mythologies. In most myths, Virgo is depicted as a virgin maiden [7] associated with wheat. [8] In Greek and Roman mythology, Virgo is related to Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest and autumn, or her daughter Persephone, queen of the Underworld and goddess of spring. [9]
Spica is the brightest object in the constellation of Virgo and one of the 20 brightest stars in the night sky. It has the Bayer designation α Virginis, which is Latinised to Alpha Virginis and abbreviated Alpha Vir or α Vir. Analysis of its parallax shows that it is located 250 ± 10 light-years from the Sun. [3]
This is the list of notable stars in the constellation Virgo, sorted by decreasing brightness. Name B F G. Var HD HIP RA Dec vis. mag. abs. mag. Dist. Sp. class Notes
Zeta Virginis (ζ Virginis, abbreviated Zeta Vir, ζ Vir) is a binary star in the zodiac constellation of Virgo.It is visible to the naked eye with an apparent visual magnitude of +3.376 and is located about a half degree south of the celestial equator.
ν Virginis, Latinized as Nu Virginis, is a single [9] star in the zodiac constellation of Virgo, located at the western tip of the classic constellation and nearly due south of the prominent star Denebola. [10] It is a red-hued star with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.04 [2] and can be seen with the naked eye.
Lambda Virginis (λ Virginis, abbreviated Lambda Vir, λ Vir) is a binary star system in the zodiac constellation of Virgo. With an apparent visual magnitude of 4.5, it is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Based upon parallax measurements, the system is about 173 light-years away from the Sun.
It is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, and is the 15th brightest star in the night sky. [14] The name Spica is derived from a Latin phrase that describes the zodiac sign Virgo as holding an ear of grain, spīca virginis. [15] Virgo the Maiden is often represented as a young woman holding this stalk of grain.