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Zodiac: Pisces
Feb 20 - Mar 20
Read more about Pisces.
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Virgo (Virgin)

Virgo is the second largest constellation in the sky. Only Sea Serpent is larger. According to one common interpretation it symbolizes Astraea, the roman goddess of justice, holding up the scales of justice (Scales, which is a neighboring constellation). Other interpretations see the greek goddes of grain and fertility. Astraea is then often depicted with a grain spike, symbolized by the star Spica (α Virginis). Spica is the brightest star in the constellation, and it is the 15th brightest star in the night sky. Its distance from earth is about 260 light years. It is a variable star that slightly changes its brightness with a period of 4 days.
 
Virgo contains a large galaxy cluster: the Virgo Cluster. The Virgo Cluster is at a distance of about 59 million light years from earth, and it contains at least 1300 galaxies. Several dozen of these galaxies can be seen in a telescope with an aperture of 6 inches or more.
This constellation belongs to the zodiac. Its time of the year is between August 23 and September 23. This constellation does not belong to the zodiac. It's brightest star is Spica (α Virginis).
Neighboring constellations are Leo, Crater, Corvus, Hydra, Libra, Serpens, Bootes, and Coma Berenices. Have a look at our full list of all constellations.
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Latin name:  Virgo (Vir)
English name:  Virgin
Abbreviation:  Vir
Zodiac:  August 23 - September 23
Brightest star:  Spica (α Virginis)
Historic depiction of the Virgin.

Objects in Virgin

A selection of interesting objects visible with a telescope.
M87 (NGC 4486, Virgo A)
an elliptic galaxy in the constellation Virgin
Image credit: NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).

M58 (NGC 4579)
a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgin
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Kennicutt (U. of Ariz./Inst. of Astr., U. of Cambridge) and the SINGS Team

M104 (NGC 4594, Sombrero Galaxy)
a spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgin
Image credit: NASA/ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team STScI/AURA)

M84 (NGC 4374)
an elliptic galaxy in the constellation Virgin
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

M61 (NGC 4303)
a spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgin
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

M49 (NGC 4472)
an elliptic galaxy in the constellation Virgin
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Blakenslee, P Cote et al.

M59 (NGC 4621)
an elliptic galaxy in the constellation Virgin
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, P. Cote

A few stars named in Virgin

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A few free stars in Virgin

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Name a star in Virgin

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