{vur'-goh}

Virgo, the second largest constellation and one of the earliest to be distinguished, lies on the zodiac east of Leo and, in mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, is visible above the southern horizon on spring evenings. Most of its stars are faint, except for brilliant blue white Spica, the 15th brightest star in the sky. The autumnal equinox, or the position of the Sun on the first day of autumn, is located in Virgo. The constellation is noted for containing a large cluster of galaxies (see EXTRAGALACTIC SYSTEMS).

Arthur F. Cacella

Bibliography: Motz, Lloyd, and Nathanson, Carol, The Constellations (1988); Sanford, John, Observing the Constellations (1990); Whitney, C. A., Whitney's Star Finder; 4th ed. (1985).

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