The constellation of Virgo the Maiden
From the Northern Hemisphere, Virgo the Maiden seems excessive above the southern horizon on Might evenings. And that is one of the best time of yr to view this constellation, which is the most important of the zodiac. As a matter of truth, Virgo can be the 2nd-largest constellation total, after Hydra. Plus, due to its brightest star, Spica, there’s a straightforward trick to discovering this constellation.
So, to seek out Virgo, bear in mind this helpful mnemonic gadget: Arc to Arcturus and spike to Spica. What does that imply? Utilizing the readily identifiable Big Dipper, you may comply with the curve of its deal with as you arc to a vivid orangish star named Arcturus within the constellation Boötes. Then “drive a spike” (or generally the saying is “pace on down”) to Spica.
Spica is a blue-white, 1st-magnitude star close to the middle of Virgo.
The celebs of the Maiden
Spica, which marks a bundle of wheat that the Maiden is holding, is the fifteenth brightest star within the sky. Spica is a magnitude 1.04 star that lies 250 light-years from Earth.
Then the subsequent brightest star in Virgo is the binary star Gamma Virginis, or Porrima. Porrima is magnitude 2.74 and lies close to the middle of the constellation, above (northwest of) Spica. It lies 38 light-years away. Subsequent, the third brightest star is on the northern reaches of the constellation. Vindemiatrix is a magnitude 2.82 star positioned 109 light-years away.
The Virgo Cluster
No doubt, Virgo is legendary for its 1000’s of galaxies. One grouping – the Virgo Cluster – is close to the border with Coma Berenices, west of Vindemiatrix. The Virgo Cluster is the closest massive group of galaxies to the Milky Way. The Virgo Cluster lies on the middle of the Local Supercluster, a large group of clusters of galaxies. Plus, the Local Group of galaxies, which incorporates the Milky Way, can be a part of the Native Supercluster.
Moreover, the gravitational pull from the Virgo Cluster within the Native Supercluster is slowing the escape velocity of the Milky Way and our Native Group. So the Virgo cluster is among the few locations within the universe we’re rushing towards. Subsequently, the galaxies of the Virgo Cluster are a few of the few we see with a blueshift as an alternative of a redshift. One day, these many galaxies will merge into one big conglomeration.
In reality, the galaxy with one of many highest blueshifts lies proper on the border of Virgo and Coma Berenices. This galaxy, M90, is shifting quickly among the many different objects within the Virgo Cluster. That’s as a result of it’s additionally being stripped of gasoline and dust as a result of its shut quarters with the opposite galaxies. At magnitude 9.5, you may see this galaxy in a telescope throughout the 60 million light-year span.
As well as, different galaxies between eighth and ninth magnitude on this location are M49, M58, M59, M60, M84, M86, M87, and M89. Much more galaxies become visible when you scan alongside the road between Virgo and Coma Berenices.
M87, or Virgo A
M87 is a particular galaxy that deserves to be singled out from the Virgo Cluster. It shines at magnitude 8.6 and is subsequently straightforward to detect in any telescope and even in some binoculars. M87 lies about 60 million light-years away. Its potato-shaped clump of stars extends nicely over a half million light-years throughout, and regarded as 5 occasions the scale of the Milky Way’s diameter. Nonetheless, the diameter of the galaxy’s halo is about one million light-years, and whereas that’s massive, astronomers anticipated it to be even bigger. They consider one thing lower the halo off early on in its formation.
As a matter of truth, M87 is house to the most important recognized variety of globular clusters. For comparability, the Milky Way has about 200 globulars, whereas M87 has 1000’s. These clusters could also be dwarf galaxies that M87’s gravitation sucked in.
One other wonderful function of M87 is its jet that extends outward from the core for 1000’s of light-years. A monster black hole on the galaxy’s core is the supply of the jet. In reality, M87’s black hole was the first ever imaged, in 2019. Then, just lately that picture was enhanced and released with extra element in April 2023. Plus, its black hole and its jet were imaged collectively for 1st time ever in April 2023.
The Sombrero Galaxy
To not be missed is one other vivid and notable galaxy that’s aside from the massive cluster is M104, or the Sombrero Galaxy. It’s positioned on the southeastern border of the constellation with Corvus the Crow. No doubt, M104 is a shocking galaxy in images. Even higher, at magnitude 8.3, you may see it in small telescopes. It’s an edge-on, dusty spiral galaxy with a vivid core. M104 lies roughly 55 million light-years away.
Virgo in mythology
Virgo personifies Persephone, daughter of Demeter, the harvest goddess. In response to a Greek fable, it as soon as was all the time springtime on Earth. However then the god of the underworld, Hades, kidnapped Persephone.
Demeter, overcome with grief, deserted her position as an Earth goddess. Thus, the world’s fruitfulness and fertility suffered. Then, in accordance with the parable, Earth wouldn’t develop into fruitful once more till Persephone returned house. So, Zeus insisted that Hades return Persephone to Demeter. Additionally, Zeus mentioned that Persephone should eat nothing till her return. Alas, Hades purposely gave Persephone a pomegranate.
Thus, Persephone was given again to her mom, however Persephone – due to the pomegranate – has to return to the underworld for 4 months yearly. To this day, spring returns to the Northern Hemisphere when Persephone reunites with Demeter. Then the winter season reigns when Persephone dwells within the underworld. Contemplating this, from the angle of the Northern Hemisphere, Virgo is absent from early night sky in late autumn, winter and early spring. Virgo’s return to the sky at dusk – within the months of April and Might – coincides with the season of spring.
Backside line: Virgo the Maiden is the most important of the zodiac constellations. A helpful mnemonic gadget – utilizing the Massive Dipper and its vivid star Spica – make it straightforward to seek out.
The constellations of the zodiac
Meet Taurus the Bull in the evening sky
Gemini the Twins, home to 2 bright stars
Meet Cancer the Crab and its Beehive Cluster
Leo the Lion and its backward question mark
Virgo the Maiden in northern spring skies
Meet Libra the Scales, a zodiacal constellation
Scorpius the Scorpion is a summertime delight
Sagittarius the Archer and its famous Teapot
Capricornus the Sea-goat has an arrowhead shape
Meet Aquarius the Water Bearer and its stars
Meet Pisces the Fish, 1st constellation of the zodiac
Say hello to Aries the Ram
Born under the sign of Ophiuchus?
