Spica - α Virginis (alpha Virginis)
Spica, also designated as α Virginis (alpha Virginis), is a variable and multiple giant star of spectral class B1 in the constellation of Virgo.
Spica visual magnitude is 0.98, making it the 15th brightest star in the sky. Because of its brightness, Spica is clearly visible to the naked eye when observed from locations with dark skies, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.

Celestial Coordinates
Apparent
J2000
Galactic Coordinates
Finder Chart
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Finder chart for Spica - α Virginis (alpha Virginis).
Magnitude, Color, Spectral Class

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

Star System Properties
Spica is a visual double star which can be observed only with the help of very large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Spica double sysyem:
Distance, Radial Speed, Proper Motion
Spica is distant 262.06 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 1 kilometers per second.
Alternative Designations
Visibility from Your Location
Today's Spica - α Virginis (alpha Virginis) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, UK are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):