To discover Virgo in the evening sky, start by looking for the Big Dipper in the northern horizon. Imagine a curved line, or an arc, traced from the end of the dipper down to the bright star Arcturus, using the curve of the handle as a guide (in other words, “arc to Arcturus”). Then, to “push a spike” through Spica, Virgo’s brightest star, extend that line. You can see the remainder of the constellation after you’ve found Spica. Virgo may be seen from all over the planet. From mid-March to late-June in the northern hemisphere, Virgo is most visible in the evening sky. Autumn and winter are the best times to see it in the southern hemisphere.
In This Article...
What is the origin of the name Virgo?
After Hydra, Virgo is the second biggest constellation in the night sky, encompassing 1294 square degrees. Its name comes from the Latin term for Virgin. Virgo is a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere that appears in the early spring and is visible all night in March and April. The sun takes 44 days to travel through Virgo due to its vastness, which is longer than any other constellation in the zodiac! The most popular myths and tales associated with the Virgo constellation include Dike, the Greek goddess of justice, and Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, the harvest goddess. It is said that Earth experienced endless Spring until Persephone, the Spring maiden, was stolen by the god of the underworld. After falling in love with Persephone and marrying her, Hades, the god of the underworld, imprisoned her and made her the Queen of the underworld. Demeter was still looking for her daughter, but when she learned of her whereabouts, she rushed to see her brother Zeus to see if he might assist. Demeter was concerned that Hades was mistreating her daughter, so Zeus placed a painting of Persephone in the night sky so that Demeter could keep a watch on her at all times.
What is the true constellation of Virgo?
The Greek goddess of justice, Dike, is traditionally connected with the constellation Virgo. Dike was the daughter of Zeus and Themis, the Greek Titaness. Virgo is generally shown with angel-like wings and a wheat ear in her left hand, the bright star Spica marking her. She is in the constellation Libra, which represents the scales of justice. Dike was also known as Astraeia, the daughter of Astraeus, the father of the stars, and Eos, the morning goddess.
Dike lived during the Golden Age of mankind, according to Greek mythology. She was born a mortal and assigned to oversee human justice on Earth. The Golden Age was characterized by prosperity and tranquility, an endless spring, and beings who never aged. When Zeus fulfilled an ancient prophecy by overthrowing his father, the Silver Age began, which was not as affluent. Humans no longer revered the gods as they once did when Zeus devised the four seasons. Dike gave a lecture to the entire race, warning them of the consequences of abandoning their forefathers’ principles and predicting that things would get worse. She then flew to the mountains, abandoning humanity. When the Bronze and Iron Ages arrived, and mankind began to fight among themselves, Dike abandoned the Earth and soared to the heavens.
In various myths, the constellation Virgo is linked to Demeter, the corn goddess, Atargatis, the Syrian goddess of fertility, and Erigone, Icarius’ daughter who hanged herself after her father died. Icarius is identified with the constellation Botes in this version of the narrative, while the star Procyon in Canis Minor represents Icarius’ faithful dog Maera.
Even though Tyche is commonly represented clutching the horn of abundance rather than an ear of grain, historians Eratosthenes and Hyginus associate the constellation Virgo with Tyche, the goddess of prosperity. The goddess’s ear of grain is marked by the star Spica, whose name literally means “the ear of grain” in Latin.
In the night sky, where is the Virgo cluster?
Our Local Supercluster lies in the core of the Virgo Cluster, which is 65 million light-years away; their coincident positions are why it is termed the Virgo Supercluster.
How can I determine my zodiac sign?
The zodiac constellations that are visible after dusk on these October evenings are depicted in tonight’s sky chart (top of post). The positions of the zodiacal constellations Aquarius and Pisces relative to the Great Square of Pegasus are shown in a separate chart below. We received the following inquiry:
I’m having trouble recognizing the zodiac constellations… do you have any suggestions?
First, the zodiac constellations serve as a backdrop for the sun’s annual journey around our sky, as well as the moon’s monthly journey. Because the ecliptic, or path of the sun, lies within these constellations, you can look for them along the sun’s approximate route across the sky during the day – from east to west.
Second, keep in mind the moon’s position in the sky, as it passes in front of each zodiac constellation for a few days each month. The fading crescent moon, for example, will pass in front of the constellation Leo in the early sky over the following few days.
Third, as the years pass, keep a close eye on Jupiter, the fourth-brightest heavenly body to illuminate the sky. It is known as the year star because it spends around a year in the same zodiac constellation. Jupiter is currently obscured by the sun’s glare in front of the constellation Virgo, but will reappear in November 2017. You can identify the many zodiacal constellations by studying Jupiter year after year.
Circle Mark your calendar for November 13, 2017. In the early sky, Jupiter will be in conjunction with Venus, just on the border of the constellations Virgo and Libra.
Fourth, how dark is the night sky in your area? You might not be able to see these patterns in the sky if you’re gazing from the city or suburbs. These patterns were discovered by folks who didn’t have access to electricity!
Fifth, make sure you have a good star chart.
A planisphere is a must-have item for any aspiring astronomer.
If you’re looking for constellations rather than stars, make sure you choose a chart that includes both. Some charts are more suited to those who use telescopes, although there are also books and charts for beginners.
Finally, keep in mind that as you discover the constellations, one will lead to the next.
For instance, the signpost Summer Triangle, which is high in the south and above at twilight on October evenings, can be used to locate zodiac constellations. The ecliptic swings below the Summer Triangle as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. A line made from the bright star Vega to the star Altair points in the approximate direction of Sagittarius, while a line drawn from Deneb via Altair leads to Capricornus.
So, be patient!
Learning about the sky is a lifelong pursuit that will provide you with unending delight.
The same evening constellations of the zodiac are visible in the Southern Hemisphere as they are in the Northern Hemisphere.
However, they seem high in the sky rather than near the horizon. If you want to use the Summer Triangle asterism, keep in mind that as darkness falls, it appears “upside down” and low in the north to northwest sky.
Conclusion: The zodiac constellations follow the sun’s yearly course across the sky.
They provide a year-round backdrop for the sun and a monthly backdrop for the moon.
On October evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, the zodiac constellations are low in the south, swinging from east to west across the evening sky.
Virgo is a Greek god.
Astraea, the Goddess of Innocence and Purity, is the sign of Virgo. Pandora was delivered to Earth as a punishment by Zeus, according to the creation story. She opened the box the gods had instructed her not to open, releasing the plagues of hate, envy, disease, and other calamities into the world. Hope, of course, did not survive, but the Earth had become terrible. The gods gradually returned to the heavens to live. The last to leave was Astraea.
Virgo is an Egyptian god.
Consider the constellation Virgo, which represents the Virgin. This is one of three famous women visible in the star-studded sky. Cassiopeia and Andromeda, the other two, belong to the same family. Virgo has been identified with many great legendary heroines throughout history, representing innocence, morality, fertility, and feminine majesty. She is frequently represented clutching a sheaf of grain in her right hand, which is identified by the bright star Spica, and occasionally a palm branch. Some believe that Virgo first appeared in Egypt 15,000 years ago, when the spring equinox was among the stars that the sun passed through during the Egyptian harvest. Perhaps this is how Virgo earned the nickname Maiden of the Wheat Field, as she is depicted with a sickle and sheaves of grain in her arms. She was also identified with the Egyptian deity Isis, who was depicted holding wheat in her hand. When the monster Typhon followed her, she is claimed to have dropped the sheaf, scattering wheat across the sky and forming the Milky Way. The brightest star in Virgo, Spica, was worshipped by Egyptians as a symbol of the wheat she held. They built temples to the star, which represented prosperity to them. Indeed, it is reported that when Greeks travelled to Egypt to get wheat during a famine, they returned with more than just food: the Egyptians shared a bit of their religion with the advice that if the Greeks paid devotion to Spica, they would never go hungry again. Another Egyptian depiction of Virgo shows her holding the child sun deity Horus, the last of the celestial Egyptian rulers. The Virgin Mary bearing the infant Jesus was later altered from this effigy.
The Sphinx, some experts claim, is a composite of the constellations the sun passed through during the inundation of the Nile in ancient Egypt: the stately figure laying in the desert, they say, has the body of Leo the Lion and the head of the female Virgo.
Why is Virgo referred to be the virgin?
Asteroids with virgin goddesses and the meaning of virginity Virgo is a Latin word that means “unmarried girl, maiden.” It wasn’t until approximately 1300 that it was used to signify virginity or a lack of sexual experience.
What kind of Virgo should marry?
Earth signs (Taurus, Capricorn, Virgo) are the most suitable signs for Virgo friendships and romantic partnerships since they complement their grounded personality. Cancer and Scorpio, both water signs, get along well with Virgos. Virgos can match with their opposite sign Pisces and bond over their fluid natures, despite challenges along the road. They get along well with other Mercury-ruled Geminis.
What is the soulmate of Virgo?
When you spend 10 minutes examining every detail of a person’s Bumble profile to determine whether they’re worth swiping right on, you’re a Virgo. You have high expectations for yourself and the people you choose to associate with as the perfectionist of the zodiac. If a possible romantic partner doesn’t tick all of your boxes, they’re probably not the right fit. While being selective can make meeting your love difficult, Virgo can’t help but fall for three zodiac signs.
The most compatible zodiac sign with Virgo, according to Cayne, is typically Pisces. While these fish might help Virgo find equilibrium, she believes it’s usually a difficult long-term partnership because they’re opposite signs.
Because you’re in it for the long term, Cayne tells us which three zodiac signs are most likely to be Virgo’s soulmates.