Spica
Product information
Description
Spica radiates a brilliant blue-white hue and stands out as the brightest star in Virgo. Its sharp, intense glow and near-equatorial position make it easy to spot in spring skies, often regarded as a celestial jewel in the zodiac.
Additional Information
- Constellation
- Virgo
- Spectral Type
- B1V + B4V
- Apparent Magnitude
- 0.97
- Distance (Light Years)
- 250
- Right Ascension
- 13h 25m 11.6s
- Declination
- −11° 09′ 41″
- Solar Masses
- 10.25
- Radius (Solar)
- 7.4
- Temperature (Kelvin)
- 25400
- Age (Million Years)
- 12.5
Discovery
- Ancient Civilizations
- Greeks, Babylonians, Chinese, Romans
- Historical Significance
- Spica has been known since ancient times and was one of the most important stars in agricultural calendars. In ancient Babylonia, it marked the time of harvest, and the Greeks linked it with Demeter, goddess of the harvest.
Cultural Significance
- Mythology
- Spica is often associated with a sheaf of wheat in the hand of Virgo, the maiden. In Greek mythology, it was linked to Persephone and the fertility of the land, while in Arabic astronomy it was known as 'Simāk al-A‘zal,' meaning 'the Unarmed One.'
- Navigation
- Due to its brightness and isolated location in the sky, Spica served as a valuable reference point for celestial navigation, especially in spring.
- Modern Reference
- Spica is a key star in the Virgo constellation and is commonly referenced in celestial charts, astronomy education, and stargazing tools. It also plays a role in determining the precession of the equinoxes.
Notable Features
- Stellar Motion
- Spica exhibits proper motion consistent with its position within our local arm of the Milky Way.
- Additional Fact
- Spica is a spectroscopic binary system, where the two stars orbit so closely they are egg-shaped due to tidal distortion — orbiting each other every 4 days at blistering speeds.
User Dedications
- Dedications
- This star has not been claimed yet. Be the first to dedicate it to someone special!