Blue-white main-sequence star · Virgo

Spica

Also known as: α Virginis (α Vir), HIP 65474

mag 1.0250 light-years

About

Spica (α Virginis) is a blue-white main-sequence star of magnitude 1.0 in Virgo, about 250 light-years away.

Spica is in the constellation Virgo.
Best evenings: around late 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 69° N.
Star patterns: Spring Triangle.

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.

EyesA first-magnitude star, obvious even from a city. It looks blue-white.
Binoculars (10×50)Dazzling, with its colour stronger than to the eye.
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	Spica
Designation	α Virginis (α Vir)
Hipparcos number	HIP 65474
Type	Blue-white main-sequence star
Spectral type	B1V
Colour	Blue-whiteB−V colour index −0.23
Magnitude	1.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	250 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1780.
Proper motion	0.053″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Virgo
Right ascension (J2000)	13h 25m 11.6s
Declination (J2000)	−11° 09′ 41″