Virgo

From Freepedia

See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics.

Virgo
Image:Virgo constellation map.png

click for larger image

Abbreviation Vir
Genitive Virginis
Symbology the Virgin
Right ascension 13 h
Declination 0°
Area 1294 sq. deg.
Ranked 2nd
Number of stars
(magnitude < 3) 		3
Brightest star Spica (α Vir)
(App. magnitude 1.0)
Meteor showers
Bordering
constellations
Visible at latitudes between +80° and −80°
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of May

Virgo (Image:Virgo symbol.png, and Latin for virgin) is a constellation of the zodiac. Lying between Leo to the west and the Libra to the east, it is one of the largest constellations in the sky. It can be easily found through its bright α star, Spica.

Contents

Notable features

The most prominent star in Virgo is Spica (α 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").

Other bright stars in Virgo include β Vir (Zavijah), γ Vir (Porrima), δ Vir (Auva) and ε Vir (Vindemiatrix). Other fainter stars that were also given names are ζ Vir (Heze), η Vir (Zaniah), ι Vir (Syrma) and μ Vir (Rijl al Awwa).

The star 70 Virginis is an extrasolar planetary system with one confirmed planet 6.6 times the mass of Jupiter.

Due to the effects of precession, the First Point of Libra, (also known as the autumn equinox point) lies within the boundaries of Virgo. 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.) This point will pass into the neighbouring constellation of Leo around the year 2440.

Notable deep sky objects

Because of the presence of a galaxy cluster (consequently called the Virgo cluster) within its borders 5° to 10° west of ε Vir (Vindemiatrix), this constellation is especially rich in galaxies.

Some examples are M49 (elliptical), M58 (spiral), M59 (elliptical), M60 (elliptical), M61 (spiral), M84 (elliptical), M86 (elliptical), M87 (elliptical and a famous radiosource), M89 (elliptical) and M90 (spiral). A noted galaxy that is not part of the cluster is M104, a spiral galaxy also called the Sombrero Galaxy. It is located about 10° due west of Spica.

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 may also feature, along with Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor, as part of the source of the myth of Callisto, either as Callisto herself, or as Hera. Persephone (who in some mythologies, notably the Eleusinian Mysteries, was considered to be a form of Demeter) is often mentioned as well, Virgo being visible mainly in the spring months when she was believed to have risen from the underworld.

According to one interpretation, the constellation depicts Astraea, the virgin daughter of the god Zeus and the goddess Themis. Astraea was known as the goddess of justice, and was identified as this constellation due to the presence of the scales of justice Libra nearby, and supposedly ruled the world at one point with her wise ways until mankind became so callous she returned to skies disgusted.

Astrology

The Western astrological sign Virgo of the tropical zodiac (August 23 - September 22) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (September 16 - October 30).

In some cosmologies, Virgo is associated with the classical element Earth, and thus called an Earth Sign (with Taurus and Capricorn). It is also one of the mutable signs (along with Gemini, Sagittarius, and Pisces). It is the domicile and exaltation of Mercury. Its polar opposite is Pisces. Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Virgo rules the intestines. The symbol for Virgo is the virgin or maiden.

Notable and named stars

BD F Names and other designations Mag. Ly away Comments
α 67 Spica, Alpha Virginis, Spica Virginis, Azimech, Alarph 0.98 262
  • < spīca virginis Virgo's ear of wheat
  • < ? as-simak al-a'zal The undefended ?
  • < (?) The grape gatherer
β Beta Virginis, Zavijava, Zavijah, Zavyava, Zawijah, Alaraph, Minelauva 3.61 35.6
  • < زاوية العوى zāwiyat al-cawwa’ Corner of the barking (dog) [perhaps referring to a kennel?]
  • Minelauva shared with δ Virginis
γ 29 Gamma Virginis, Porrima, Arich 2.74 38.6
ε 47 Epsilon Virginis, Vindemiatrix, Vindemiator, Almuredin, Alaraph, Provindemiator, Protrigetrix, Protrygetor 2.85 102
  • < vindēmiātrix, vindēmitor The grape-harvestress
ζ 79 Zeta Virginis, Heze 3.38 73.2
δ 43 Delta Virginis, Auva, Al Awwa, Minelauva 3.39 202
  • < عوى cawwa’ barking + min = ?
109 109 Virginis 3.73 129
μ 107 Mu Virginis, Rijl al Awwa 3.87 60.9
  • < رجل العوى rijl al-cawwa’ The foot of the barking (dog)
η 15 Eta Virginis, Zaniah 3.89 250
  • < زاوية zāwiyah corner
ν 3 Nu Virginis 4.04 313
ι 99 Iota Virginis, Syrma 4.07 69.8
  • < سرما (تطريز) sirmā train (of a garment)
ο 9 Omicron Virginis 4.12 171
κ 98 Kappa Virginis 4.18 224
τ 93 Tau Virginis 4.23 218
θ 51 Theta Virginis 4.38 415
110 110 Virginis 4.39 183
λ 100 Lambda Virginis, Khambalia 4.52 187
  • < (?) The curved claw?
π 8 Pi Virginis 4.65 356
χ 26 Chi Virginis 4.66 319
l 74 74 Virginis 4.68
61 61 Virginis 4.74 27.8
  • nearby
69 69 Virginis 4.76
ψ 40 Psi Virginis 4.77 417
σ 60 Sigma Virginis 4.78 541
φ 105 Phi Virginis 4.81 135
ξ 2 Xi Virginis 4.84 120
ρ 30 Rho Virginis 4.88 120
o 78 78 Virginis 4.92
89 89 Virginis 4.96
c 16 16 Virginis 4.97
70 70 Virginis 4.97 59.1
  • has a planet
m 82 82 Virginis 5.03
53 53 Virginis 5.04
υ 102 Upsilon Virginis 5.14 274
49 49 Virginis 5.15
p 90 90 Virginis 5.16
e 59 59 Virginis 5.19
h 76 76 Virginis 5.21
57 57 Virginis 5.21
d² 32 32 Virginis 5.22
ω 1 Omega Virginis 5.24 480
i 68 68 Virginis 5.27
A¹ 4 4 Virginis 5.31
55 55 Virginis 5.31
84 84 Virginis 5.35
b 7 7 Virginis 5.36
63 63 Virginis 5.36
87 87 Virginis 5.41
106 106 Virginis 5.42
95 95 Virginis 5.46
q 21 21 Virginis 5.48
86 86 Virginis 5.50
75 75 Virginis 5.52
83 83 Virginis 5.55
d¹ 31 31 Virginis 5.57
g g Virginis 5.57
A² 6 6 Virginis 5.58
33 33 Virginis 5.65
71 71 Virginis 5.65
108 108 Virginis 5.68
80 80 Virginis 5.70
11 11 Virginis 5.72
66 66 Virginis 5.76
k 44 44 Virginis 5.79
101 101 Virginis 5.84
12 12 Virginis 5.85
f 25 25 Virginis 5.88
65 65 Virginis 5.88
64 64 Virginis 5.89
13 13 Virginis 5.90
92 92 Virginis 5.90
y y Virginis 5.92
10 10 Virginis 5.95
50 50 Virginis 5.95
46 46 Virginis 5.99
73 73 Virginis 6.01
37 37 Virginis 6.02
72 72 Virginis 6.10
34 34 Virginis 6.11
38 38 Virginis 6.11
85 85 Virginis 6.18
104 104 Virginis 6.18
27 27 Virginis 6.22
41 41 Virginis 6.25
54 54 Virginis 6.26
20 20 Virginis 6.29
35 35 Virginis 6.42
96 96 Virginis 6.45
17 17 Virginis 6.46
94 94 Virginis 6.54
48 48 Virginis 6.62
62 62 Virginis 6.73
28 28 Virginis 6.81
56 56 Virginis 6.95
77 77 Virginis 7.12
HD 114783 7.57
  • has a planet
HD 130322 8.05
  • has a planet
EQ Virginis 9.31
  • flare star
  • nearby
DT Virginis 9.75
Ross 128, FI Virginis 11.12
Wolf 424 12.41
FL Virginis 13.30
PSR 1257+12
  • pulsar
  • has three planets

Source: The Bright Star Catalogue, 5th Revised Ed., The Hipparcos Catalogue, ESA SP-1200

See Also


Astronomy | Constellations of the Zodiac | Astrology

Aries (♈) | Taurus (♉) | Gemini (♊) | Cancer (♋) | Leo (♌) | Virgo (♍) | Libra (♎) | Scorpius/Scorpio (♏) | Ophiuchus | Sagittarius (♐) | Capricornus/Capricorn (♑) | Aquarius (♒) | Pisces (♓)


Constellations listed by Ptolemy

Andromeda | Aquarius | Aquila | Ara | Argo Navis | Aries | Auriga | Boötes | Cancer | Canis Major | Canis Minor | Capricornus | Cassiopeia | Centaurus | Cepheus | Cetus | Corona Australis | Corona Borealis | Corvus | Crater | Cygnus | Delphinus | Draco | Equuleus | Eridanus | Gemini | Hercules | Hydra | Leo | Lepus | Libra | Lupus | Lyra | Ophiuchus | Orion | Pegasus | Perseus | Pisces | Piscis Austrinus | Sagitta | Sagittarius | Scorpius | Serpens | Taurus | Triangulum | Ursa Major | Ursa Minor | Virgo


The 88 modern Constellations
Andromeda | Antlia | Apus | Aquarius | Aquila | Ara | Aries | Auriga | Boötes | Caelum | Camelopardalis | Cancer | Canes Venatici | Canis Major | Canis Minor | Capricornus | Carina | Cassiopeia | Centaurus | Cepheus | Cetus | Chamaeleon | Circinus | Columba | Coma Berenices | Corona Australis | Corona Borealis | Corvus | Crater | Crux | Cygnus | Delphinus | Dorado | Draco | Equuleus | Eridanus | Fornax | Gemini | Grus | Hercules | Horologium | Hydra | Hydrus | Indus | Lacerta | Leo | Leo Minor | Lepus | Libra | Lupus | Lynx | Lyra | Mensa | Microscopium | Monoceros | Musca | Norma | Octans | Ophiuchus | Orion | Pavo | Pegasus | Perseus | Phoenix | Pictor | Pisces | Piscis Austrinus | Puppis | Pyxis | Reticulum | Sagitta | Sagittarius | Scorpius | Sculptor | Scutum | Serpens | Sextans | Taurus | Telescopium | Triangulum | Triangulum Australe | Tucana | Ursa Major | Ursa Minor | Vela | Virgo | Volans | Vulpecula

External links

Wikimedia Commons has more media related to:

Retrieved from "http://en.freepedia.org/Virgo.html"


Views
Personal tools
In other languages
Similar Links