Night Sky

The Constellation Virgo

Virgo as depicted in Johann Bayer's 1603 star atlas. The shaded area is the Zodical region around the Ecliptic.

Virgo, the second largest constellation in the night sky, is best seen from April through June in the northern hemisphere. To spot the constellation, follow the arc of the handle for the Big Dipper to find Arcturus, the bright star at the bottom of the neighboring constellation, Bootes and, then draw a line of a similar distance down to Spica, the brightest star in Virgo and the 15th brightest star in the heavens. Virgo lies almost completely within the Zodical region around the Ecliptic, that is, the orbital path of Earth around the Sun.

For the Greeks and Romans, Virgo meant “Young Maiden” or “Virgin” and Spica was deemed to be part of a “sheaf of grain” Virgo held right hand. For the ancient Babylonians, the constellation was known as “The Furrow” and the home of Shaka, a goddess of war and the grain harvest whose “ear of grain” was represented by Spica. For the Chinese, Spica was said to be the home of Shou Hsing, the god of longevity. Early Christians believed Virgo represented the Virgin Mary.