Virgo is one of the constellations of the zodiac and belongs to the 88 modern constellations.

According to the tropical astrology, the Sun transits Virgo between August 23 and September 22 while in the sidereal astrology it does it between September 17 and October 17.

This constellation lies between Leo to the west and Libra to the east. Described by the Greek astronomer Aratus. Astrologically, this is associated with the planets Pluto and Mercury.

Dimensions: 1294 square degrees.

Rank: 1^st largest constellation in the sky.

Brightness: A bright constellation with 3 stars brighter than magnitude 3.

History: This constellation was associated in Roman mythology with Dike, the goddess of Justice that was said to descend between humans when they no longer upheld justice. In Greek mythology it represents Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and is related to harvest and nature.

The name represents a maiden, also associated with the goddess of agriculture and harvest.

The Babylonians used to call it “the Furrow” as they said it represented the ear of grain of their goddess Shala. This is why this constellation is associated with fertility. In the Middle Ages, Virgo was associated with the Virgin Mary.

Stars: Spica is the brightest star of this constellation. Its name comes from the Latin meaning “ear of grain. This is a binary white star. Other bright stars of Virgo include Zavijava (beta Virginis), Auva (delta Virginis and Vindemiatrix (epsilon Virginis). There is also the first extrasolar planetary system discovered in the star 70 Virginis. There are 35 exoplanets orbiting the 29 stars of Virgo.

Galaxies: This constellation has a galaxy cluster called the Virgo cluster and many more other galaxies, such as Messier 58, Messier 59 and an unusual spiral galaxy, Sombrero Galaxy.