Virgo - The Maiden

Learn about the constellation Virgo - The Maiden, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Virgo is a constellation of the zodiac. Lying between Leo to the west and Libra to the east, it is one of the largest constellations in the sky. It can be easily found through its brightest star, Spica.

Location: Northern Spring 13h RA 0° Dec

The most prominent star in Virgo is Spica (a Vir), which was sometimes considered to represent an ear of wheat in Virgo's hand. Spica makes it easy to locate Virgo, as it can be found by following the curve of the Big Dipper to Arcturus in Boötes and continuing from there in the same curve ("follow the arc to Arcturus and speed on to Spica")

Virgo Mythology

Who exactly Virgo was considered to represent is uncertain; in history, it has been associated with nearly every prominent goddess, including Ishtar, Isis, Cybele, Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Athena.

Virgo Deep Space Objects

Virgo is home to many spectacular Messier objects, including M49 (elliptical galaxy), M58 (spiral galaxy), M59 (elliptical), M60 (elliptical), M61 (spiral), M84 (lenticular galaxy), M86 (lenticular), M87 (elliptical and a famous radio source), M89 (elliptical) and M90 (spiral).

Another galaxy that is not part of the cluster is the Sombrero Galaxy (M104), an unusual spiral galaxy.

NGC 4639 is a face-on barred spiral galaxy which contains a high number of Cepheid variables.

Virgo is also home to the quasar 3C 273 which was the first quasar ever to be identified.

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.