100 Things to See in the Night Sky by Dean Regas

Author:Dean Regas
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Adams Media

VIRGO, THE MAIDEN

What Is It?

Constellation

Difficulty Level

Moderate

Description

Virgo is known as the virgin or maiden. It is a huge constellation (only Hydra is larger) that appears in the southeastern sky as spring begins. Illustrations of her in the sky show her reclining serenely while holding an ear of wheat in one hand and a dove of peace in the other. However, it is difficult to imagine Virgo’s silhouette when looking at the night sky. Many of her stars are dim, and the figure really doesn’t look much like a maiden, but she is still moderately easy to find if you can identify her brightest star, Spica (pronounced SPY-kah).

The ancient Greeks likened Virgo to the daughter of their chief god, Zeus, and Themis, the goddess of justice. Virgo lies in the sky next to another zodiac sign, Libra, the Scales. This location displays her association with the scales of justice. Unfortunately, Virgo is not holding the scales since the constellation Libra lies at the maiden’s feet.

In ancient Egyptian mythology Virgo was associated with Isis, the supreme mother goddess. As legend has it, one day Isis was eating corn in the sky when a monster of enormous size and viciousness named Typhon came upon her and chased her far and wide. As Isis fled from the great beast, she dropped pieces of corn all across her path. These kernels of corn turned into stars and became the Milky Way.

In India, Hindu astronomers believed Virgo to be Kanya, the maiden and mother of the great Krishna. Arab astronomers initially included Virgo in a giant Lion constellation that covered a huge swath of the spring sky, while others in the Middle East called the stars of Virgo the Barking Dogs. Over time these astronomers changed this constellation to conform to the Greek myths and, toward the end of the first millennium A.D., began to call Virgo by the name Al Adhra al Nathifah, which translates to the Innocent Maiden.

How to Find It

To locate Virgo’s resting place in the sky, start with the Big Dipper. Follow the stars in the curved handle of the Big Dipper and continue that arc for 30 degrees until you reach the dazzling orange star, Arcturus, the brightest star in the constellation Boötes (remember to “Follow the Arc to Arcturus”). After you find Arcturus, straighten out the arc and keep going for another 30 degrees until you run into bright, blue Spica. The full saying is: “Follow the Arc to Arcturus. Then hit a Spike to Spica!”

Virgo rises in the east-southeast after sunset in late-March and early April. At that position her outline appears to be standing above the horizon with one arm up in a disco-like pose. During May and June evenings, you can find Virgo about halfway up in the southern sky. And in July and August she looks as if she is falling headlong into the southwestern sky.

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