Spica (Alpha Virginis): Brightest Star In Virgo
Say hello to Spica, the bright bluish Alpha star of Virgo! This stunning star often appears close to the Moon and planets in the sky. Want to make sure you’ll see it? Let the Star Walk 2 app guide you right to it. Discover more about Spica and its upcoming celestial events.
Contents
- Spica star facts: what is Spica?
- Spica constellation: how to find Spica?
- When to see Spica
- Virgo’s brightest star Spica is, in fact, 2 stars
- More facts about Spica
- What is Spica: bottom line
Spica star facts: what is Spica?
- Official names: Spica, Alpha Virginis, α Vir
- Alternative names: Azimech, Spica Virginis
- Catalog designations: 67 Virginis, HD 116658, HIP 65474, HR 5056
- Constellation: Virgo
- Star type: binary star system
- Right ascension: 13h 25m 11.58s
- Declination: −11° 09′ 40.8″
- Apparent magnitude: 1.0
- Mass: 11.43 solar masses
- Luminosity: 20,512 L
- Radius: 7.47 solar radius
- Surface temperature: 20,900 K
- Distance from the Earth: 250 light-years
- Rotation period: 4 days
Spica constellation: how to find Spica?
The blue-white star Spica in the constellation Virgo is bright enough (mag 1.0) to be seen with the naked eye. Here's what can help you find Spica’s location.
Use the Big Dipper
One way to locate Spica is by using the Big Dipper – one of the most recognizable star patterns in the sky. Extend the curve of the Big Dipper's handle to find Arcturus, and then continue the line roughly as far again to reach Spica. There’s a mnemonic rule to remember this technique: “Arc to Arcturus and spike to Spica”.
Use a star finder app
Another convenient way to find Spica is by using a stargazing app like Sky Tonight. It provides real-time information about celestial objects and their locations. With this free app, you can find Spica in a few simple steps:
- Open the app’s search bar and type “Spica.”
- Tap the blue target button to the right of the matching result. The app will show you the star's position on the sky map.
- Tap the blue compass button at the bottom right of the screen. The app will use your device’s location to align the screen image with the real sky above you.
- Follow the white arrow until you see Spica on the screen and in the real sky.
When to see Spica
As a part of a zodiac constellation, Spica can be seen in the sky during certain months. The best time to observe the star is from March to late June. Keep in mind that from mid-September to the end of October, the Sun visits Virgo, so Spica is in the sky during the daytime.
Observe Spica next to the Moon
Spica is one of the four brightest stars that sit very close to the ecliptic – the Sun’s yearly path across the sky (the other three are Antares, Regulus, and Aldebaran). Because Spica lies so close to this path, the Moon and planets often pass near it. Let’s take a look at the upcoming events featuring Spica.
May 27, 2026: Moon and Spica
- Close approach time: 13:16 GMT (09:16 EDT)
- Close approach distance: 1°45′
- Conjunction time: 14:54 GMT (10:54 EDT)
- Conjunction distance: 1°56′
On May 27, the waxing Moon will shine near Spica (mag 1.0). The pair will be visible throughout the evening and for most of the night. While Spica is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, the Moon′s glow may make it a little harder to spot, so binoculars will give you a clearer view.
That same evening, you can also spot a few bright planets: Jupiter (mag -1.9), Venus (mag -4), and Mercury (mag -0.9) will be visible after sunset, though their position above the horizon will depend on your location. Note that Mercury will be hard to spot as it will lie close to the setting Sun.
You can also look for some of the brightest stars in the sky: Arcturus (mag 0.1) and Vega (mag 0.0) will be well placed for many northern observers, while Sirius (mag -1.4), the brightest star in the night sky, will be easier to see from the Southern Hemisphere.
June 23, 2026: Moon and Spica
- Close approach time: 19:07 GMT (15:07 EDT)
- Close approach distance: 1°58′
- Conjunction time: 20:56 GMT (16:56 EDT)
- Conjunction distance: 2°10′
On June 23, the 68%-illuminated Moon will shine near Spica (mag 1.0), creating a beautiful sight in the evening sky. Both objects are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, so this close approach will be easy to spot without any special equipment.
That same evening, the planets Venus (mag -4.0) and Jupiter (mag -1.8) will shine after sunset. Mercury (mag 1.1) will also be nearby, but it will be tricky to spot as it stays low above the horizon in the twilight glow — especially for observers in the Northern Hemisphere.
You may also see Arcturus (mag 0.1) and Antares (mag 1.0) high in the sky in both hemispheres, while Vega (mag 0.0) will be best placed for northern observers. Since all these objects are bright enough for the naked eye, they make a nice bonus view around the Moon-Spica pairing.
July 21, 2026: Moon and Spica
- Close approach time: 02:08 GMT (22:08 EDT, July 20)
- Close approach distance: 2°09′
- Conjunction time: 04:04 GMT (00:04 EDT)
- Conjunction distance: 2°24′
On July 21, the half-illuminated Moon will pass close to Spica (mag 1.0). Look for the pair in the evening sky after sunset. Observing conditions will be better in the Southern Hemisphere, where the Moon and Spica will appear much higher in the sky and remain visible for longer.
In addition to the Moon-Spica pairing, Venus (mag -4.2) will stand out after sunset, especially from southern latitudes where it appears higher above the horizon.
Among the stars, Arcturus (mag 0.1) and Vega (mag 0.0) will be well placed for many northern observers, while Antares (mag 1.0), the reddish heart of Scorpius, will be easy to find in the evening sky from both hemispheres.
August 17, 2026: Moon and Spica
- Close approach time: 10:33 GMT (06:33 EDT)
- Close approach distance: 2°14′
- Conjunction time: 12:31 GMT (08:31 EDT)
- Conjunction distance: 2°27′
On August 17, the waxing crescent Moon will get close to Spica (mag 1.0). This event will be much better placed for observers in the Southern Hemisphere, where the pair will appear high in the sky in the evening. North of the equator, the Moon and Spica will set soon after sunset, leaving only a short visibility window.
Westward from the Moon and Spica, you can see Venus (mag -4.5), the brightest planet in the evening sky. It will be especially eye-catching from the Southern Hemisphere, while northern observers may need a clear horizon to catch it before it sets.
For extra naked-eye targets, look for Antares (mag 1.0), glowing reddish in the evening sky. From northern latitudes, Vega (mag 0.0) will dominate the overhead sky, while southern observers can enjoy Alpha Centauri (mag -0.3), one of the brightest stars visible from Earth.
September 13, 2026: Moon and Spica
- Close approach time: 19:39 GMT (15:39 EDT)
- Close approach distance: 2°12′
- Conjunction time: 21:35 GMT (17:35 EDT)
- Conjunction distance: 2°25′
On September 13, the thin waxing crescent Moon will pass close to Spica (mag 1.0). The pair will be hard to observe from the Northern Hemisphere, as they will set almost together with the Sun. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Moon and Spica will appear relatively high in the evening sky and be much easier to spot.
Not far from the crescent Moon, Venus (mag -4.8) will shine as the brightest planet in the sky, adding to the beauty of the scene — especially for observers in the Southern Hemisphere. Mercury (mag -0.5) will also be in the area, but it will be very difficult to catch in the twilight glow.
Additionally, look for reddish Antares (mag 1.0) in the evening sky and blue-white Vega (mag 0.0), which will be high overhead for many northern observers. Southern observers can also enjoy Alpha Centauri (mag -0.3), one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
Virgo’s brightest star Spica is, in fact, 2 stars
Spica is not an individual star: it is a binary star system, that consists of two stars known as Spica A and Spica B. These stars orbit each other so close that they can’t even be resolved as two stars through a telescope. Also, their mutual gravity distorts them into an oval shape.
Spica A
Spica A is the larger and more massive star of the pair. It is a blue-white giant star that shines with a luminosity over 2,000 times that of our Sun: 80% of the light in the star system comes from Spica A. With a diameter approximately 10 times larger than the Sun, Spica A is an impressive celestial body.
Spica B
Spica B is a smaller and less massive component of the star system. It is a blue-white main-sequence star, meaning it is still in the process of burning hydrogen in its core. Although smaller than Spica A, Spica B is still seven times larger than our Sun.
More facts about Spica
Brightest star in Virgo
Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. Also, it is ranked as the 15th brightest star overall (or 16th, if you count the Sun).
Ear of grain in Virgo’s hand
The name “Spica” comes from the Latin word for “ear of grain”, as it represents a single stalk of wheat held by Demeter – the goddess of agriculture in Greek mythology, which was associated with the constellation Virgo.
Guiding star
Spica is listed among 57 navigational stars. Due to its brightness and proximity to the ecliptic, Spica is often used as a navigational reference point for spacecraft and satellites.
Part of the Spring Triangle and the Great Diamond
Spica is part of the two asterisms: the Spring Triangle (along with Arcturus in the constellation Bootes and Regulus in the constellation Leo), and the Great Diamond (along with Arcturus in the constellation Bootes, Denebola in the constellation Leo, and Cor Caroli in Canes Venatici).
Lunar occultations of Spica come in cycles
Spica lies about 2° south of the ecliptic. Meanwhile, the Moon wanders about 5° north to 5° south of the ecliptic, returning to the same position every 18.6 years. That geometry creates long periods when the Moon passes just above or below Spica, followed by several months when it regularly passes in front of it, creating a cycle of lunar occultations*.
The last occultation cycle spanned from June 16, 2024, to November 17, 2025. And now, the Moon passes south of Spica each month. The next series of about 20 occultations (including partial and grazing occultations) will occur between February 12, 2031, and July 15, 2032. After that, the Moon will move north of Spica for several years before meeting the star again on January 4, 2043.
*A lunar occultation is when the Moon passes in front of a more distant celestial object, like a star or planet, and temporarily hides it from view in some regions of the Earth.
What is Spica: bottom line
Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. The star often passes close to the Moon and planets – the next events are listed in the "When to see Spica" section of this article. You can locate Spica by using the Big Dipper or stargazing apps, like Sky Tonight and Star Walk 2.
