Map of the Universe
Spica
Star · Star in the constellation Virgo
About Spica
Spica is about 249.74 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 249.74 years ago.
At apparent magnitude 0.98 it can be seen with the naked eye from a dark site.
It gives out 2.07e+03 times as much light as the Sun.
The map lists it as a star and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.
Key numbers
| Distance | 249.74 light-years (76.57 pc) |
|---|---|
| Spectral type | B1V |
| Apparent magnitude | 0.98 |
| Absolute magnitude | -3.44 |
| Luminosity | 2.07e+03 × the Sun |
| Constellation | Vir |
Where it is
Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Solar neighbourhood › Local Bubble › Orion–Cygnus Arm (Local Arm) › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.
Zoom out to see it in context: 1,000 light-years, a view about 2,400 light-years across.
From Wikipedia
Spica is the brightest object in the constellation of Virgo and one of the 20 brightest stars in the night sky. It has the Bayer designation α Virginis, which is Latinised to Alpha Virginis and abbreviated Alpha Vir or α Vir. Analysis of its parallax shows that it is located 250±10 light-years from the Sun.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Spica, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.