Spica (α Virginis) is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. Spica is about 1000 light years (ly) away from the sun.
Spica is a spectroscopic double star (A/B) and an ellipsoid variable star. Spica A is a pulsating star of the Beta-Cephei type. The brightness of Spica varies between +0.92 mag and +0.98 mag with a period of 4.0142 days. This slight variation in brightness is hardly noticeable visually.
Both components of Spica belong to spectral type B (B1 to B4), with the brighter star near the end of its stable life as a main sequence star. The two stars are among the hottest and therefore most bluish of the bright stars in the night sky. Due to the high temperature, a large part of the light is emitted in the invisible ultraviolet range.
On the list of the brightest stars in the night sky, Spica is ranked 15th.
| Spica | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Right ascension | 13h 25m 11.6s |
| Declination | −11° 09′ 40.8″ |
| Apparent magnitude | 0.97 mag |
| Distance | (250 ± 10) ly |
| Bayer designation | α Virginis |
| Bright Star Catalogue | HR 5056 |
| Hipparcos Catalogue | HIP 65474 |
| SAO Catalogue | SAO 157923 |
