Yellow-white main-sequence star · Virgo

Porrima

Also known as: γ Virginis (γ Vir), HIP 61941

mag 2.738 light-years

About

Porrima (γ Virginis) is a yellow-white main-sequence star of magnitude 2.7 in Virgo, about 38 light-years away.

Porrima is in the constellation Virgo.
Best evenings: around mid-May it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 79° N.
Spring Triangle: Two equal stars that orbit each other every 169 years; a telescope at 100× or more splits them.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesEasy, even from town.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Porrima
Designation	γ Virginis (γ Vir)
Hipparcos number	HIP 61941
Type	Yellow-white main-sequence star
Spectral type	F0V+
Colour	Yellowish whiteB−V colour index 0.37
Magnitude	2.7The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	38 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1988.
Proper motion	0.62″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Virgo
Right ascension (J2000)	12h 41m 39.6s
Declination (J2000)	−01° 26′ 58″