Virgo Constellation | Constellations In The Southern Hemisphere

Virgo Constellation | Constellations In The Southern Hemisphere

VIRGO CONSTELLATION – In this topic, we are going to know and learn about the southern constellation Virgo, the Maiden,

It is a constellation that lies in the southern sky Its name is synonymous to ‘the maiden’ in Latin.

It is one of the 12 Zodiac constellations that was catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy.

The constellation is usually associated with the Greek goddess of justice, Dike, who was the daughter of Zeus and Greek Titaness Themis. It is usually depicted with angel-like wings, with an ear of wheat in her left hand.

Virgo houses the bright star Spica, the autumn equinox point, which lies close to the star Beta Virginis, the bright galaxies Messier 49, Messier 58, Messier 59, Messier 60, and Messier 87, the Sombrero Galaxy, the Eyes Galaxies, the Siamese Twins, and the quasar 3C 273.

It is the 2nd largest constellation and occupies an area of about 1294 square degrees. It lies in SQ3, the third quadrant of the southern hemisphere.

As mentioned, Virgo belongs to the Zodiac family, along with Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius and Pisces.

Two meteor showers are associated with the constellation. They are the Virginids and the Mu Virginids.

Stars

Among the stars include:

  • 61 Virginis
  • 70 Virginis
  • 109 Virginis
  • Auva
  • Chi Virginis
  • Elgafar
  • Flegetonte
  • Heze
  • Kang
  • Khambalia
  • Lich
  • Malmok
  • Minelauva
  • Mönch
  • Nu Virginis
  • Porrima
  • Rijl al Awwa
  • Spica
  • Syrma
  • Vindemiatrix
  • Zaniah
  • Zavijava

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