γ Virginis (gamma Virginis)

γ Virginis is a variable and multiple hypergiant star in the constellation of Virgo.

γ Virginis visual magnitude is 3.68. Because of its moderate brightness, γ Virginis should be easily visible from locations with dark skyes, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skyes affected by light pollution.

The table below summarizes the key facts about γ Virginis:

Color of γ Virginis ⬤

Magnitude of γ Virginis 3.68

Class Hypergiant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW γ Virginis (gamma Virginis) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]. Altitude: 12°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of γ Virginis

γ Virginis is situated close to the celestial equator, as such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of γ Virginis are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 12h 41m 39s

Declination J2000 -01° 26’ 57”

Galactic Longitude 297.85°

Galactic Latitude 61.33°

Constellation Virgo

The simplified sky map below shows the position of γ Virginis in the sky:

Finder chart γ Virginis (gamma Virginis) star

Simplified finder chart for γ Virginis (gamma Virginis).

Visibility of γ Virginis from your location

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

Today's γ Virginis (gamma Virginis) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change] are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 91.4° RISE 18:45

Max altitude: 37.1° TRANSIT 0:40

Azimuth: 268.6° SET 6:31

RIGHT NOW γ Virginis (gamma Virginis) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

Digitized Sky Survey image of γ Virginis

The image below is a photograph of γ Virginis from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of γ Virginis is -0.565 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and 0.012 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of γ Virginis (gamma Virginis) star

DSS2 image of γ Virginis. The red arrow shows the motion of γ Virginis during the next 1000 years (-9.42 arcmin in Right Ascension and 0.20 arcmin in declination);

Distance of γ Virginis from the Sun and relative movement

γ Virginis is distant 38.57 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 20 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 11.83 pc

Distance (light year) 38.57 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity -20 km/s

Proper Motion RA -0.565 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec 0.012 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of γ Virginis

γ Virginis belongs to spectral class F0 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a hypergiant star.

Absolute magnitude 3.32

Spectral Type F0V

Color Index (B-V)

Temperature of γ Virginis 10125K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where γ Virginis is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

H-R diagram showing the position of γ Virginis. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

γ Virginis star system properties

γ Virginis is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of small or medium telescopes. The table below shows key information about the γ Virginis double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 3.68

Secondary star magnitude 3.78

Magnitude difference 0.1

Separation 4.1 arcsec

Alternative designations of γ Virginis

Bayer designation γ Virginis
(gamma Virginis)

Flamsteed designation 29 Virginis

Henry Draper Catalogue HD110380

SAO Catalogue SAO138917

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD-00 2601

Gliese Catalogue Gl 482 B

General Catalogue of Variable Stars 5859

Aitken Double Star Catalogue ADS8630

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In Evidence

Other stars in Virgo