Spica
Star in Virgo · 249.7 light-years
🔭 Explore Spica in the 3D map →View Spica images →| Type | Star |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Right ascension | 13h 25m 12s |
| Declination | −11° 10′ |
| Object distance | 249.7 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 0.98 |
| Also known as | Spectral type B1V |
A hot blue pair of stars orbiting so closely they are egg-shaped by their mutual gravity, shining as one point in Virgo.
Observing Spica
Spica lies in the constellation Virgo and is best placed in the evening sky around April. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. Lying near the celestial equator, it can be seen from both hemispheres. At its brightness it can be found with the unaided eye under a dark sky and is easy in binoculars.
See Spica in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Spica and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position and distance from the HYG stellar database (Hipparcos · Yale Bright Star · Gliese).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- The Sun — star
- Proxima Centauri — star
- Barnard's Star — star
- TRAPPIST-1 — star
- Sirius — star