We use cookies to deliver essential features and to measure their performance. By using this site you accept our Privacy Policies.
A Complete Guide to the Solar System and the Night Sky
Donate Now! Help keep this site free and ads-free!
public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
sunny DaytimeWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » 

Virgo (The Virgin Or Maiden) Constellation

Altitude: -33.4°   Azimuth: 318.2°   Direction: North-West

Virgo (pronounced ˈvɜːrɡoʊ) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 57 degrees across the sky) situated close to the celestial equator. As such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.

In English language this constellation is also known as "The Virgin or maiden" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Vir" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Virg" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Virginis" (pronounced ˈvɜːrdʒɪnɪs) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Virginis (the brightest star of Virgo based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Virginis (the 23th star in the constellation of Virgo based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Virgo is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt.
Available Resources for Virgo

Sky Chart of Virgo Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Virgo constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Virgo in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Chart of  constellation
This constellation image is derivatve work based on original work by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) CC-BY-3.0.

Visibility of Virgo Constellation

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Today's Virgo rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 92.5°
Max altitude: 36.0°
Azimuth: 267.5°
Virgo is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations (like Virgo actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Virgo Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Virgo constellation. See also the complete list of 173 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Virgo. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR5056 α Virginis Spica 0.98 Variable; Multiple;
HR4932 ε Virginis Vindemiatrix 2.83 Variable; Double;
HR5107 ζ Virginis Heze 3.37
HR4910 δ Virginis Minelauva 3.38 Variable; Double;
HR4540 β Virginis Zavijava 3.61 Multiple;
HR4825 γ Virginis Porrima 3.65 Variable; Multiple;
HR4826 γ Virginis 3.68 Variable; Multiple;
HR5511 109 Virginis 3.72 Variable;
HR5487 μ Virginis 3.88
HR4689 η Virginis Zaniah 3.89 Variable; Multiple;
HR4517 ν Virginis 4.03 Variable;
HR5338 ι Virginis Syrma 4.08 Variable;
HR4608 ο Virginis 4.12
HR5315 κ Virginis Kang 4.19
HR5264 τ Virginis 4.26 Multiple;
HR4963 θ Virginis 4.38 Multiple;
HR5601 110 Virginis 4.4
HR5359 λ Virginis Khambalia 4.52 Variable;
HR4589 π Virginis 4.66
HR4813 χ Virginis 4.66 Multiple;
...go to the complete list of 173 bright stars in the constellation of Virgo

(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.

Deep Sky Objects in Virgo Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Virgo constellation. See also the complete list of 1150 deep sky objects in the constellation of Virgo. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
Messier 87 (Virgo A) Galaxy 8.63 (V)
Messier 60 Galaxy 8.79 (V)
Messier 86 Galaxy 8.9 (V)
NGC 4825 Galaxy 9.3 (B)
Messier 90 Galaxy 9.54 (V)
Messier 59 Galaxy 9.56 (V)
Messier 61 (Swelling Spiral) Galaxy 9.65 (V)
Messier 58 Galaxy 9.66 (V)
Messier 89 Galaxy 9.75 (V)
NGC 4753 Galaxy 9.95 (V)
NGC 5068 Galaxy 10.01 (V)
NGC 4216 Galaxy 10.01 (V)
NGC 5634 Globular Cluster 10.05 (V)
NGC 4438 Galaxy 10.17 (V)
NGC 4546 Galaxy 10.32 (V)
NGC 5813 Galaxy 10.46 (V)
Messier 84 Galaxy 10.49 (V)
NGC 4664 Galaxy 10.5 (V)
NGC 5363 Galaxy 10.51 (V)
...go to the complete list of 1150 deep sky objects in the constellation of Virgo