Spica
star · Virgo · 1.0ᵐ
A close binary of two hot blue stars that circle each other in just four days.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Spica around the year 1776.
About 102 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Spica in?
Spica lies in Virgo.
Is Spica visible to the naked eye?
1.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Spica?
Best observed in April.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 13h 25m · −11° 10′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Virgo
- How to observe
- 1.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- B1V — blue-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -3.4ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈2,032 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~250 light years
- Designation
- HIP 65474
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 19° | 113° |
| +55° | 24° | 110° |
| +45° | 34° | 106° |
| +30° | 49° | 103° |
| 0° | 79° | 101° |
| −35° | 66° | 104° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 05:40 |
| February | 03:32 |
| March | 01:47 |
| April | 23:54 |
| May | 21:59 |
| June | 19:53 |
| July | 17:49 |
| August | 15:48 |
| September | 13:55 |
| October | 12:07 |
| November | 10:06 |
| December | 07:57 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.