Virgo, the Virgin, is a zodiacal constellation that transits the meridian at midnight standard time as spring begins. It lies on the ecliptic between Leo and Libra. Virgo is easy to find by using the Big Dipper and the curve of its handle to arc to brilliant Arcturus and then continuing the arc and spiking to bright Spica, the alpha star in Virgo. Virgo is currently the location of the September equinox. This is the point in the sky where the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading into the southern hemisphere of the sky. This usually occurs around September 22, marking the beginning of fall for the northern hemisphere on Earth, and the start of spring for the southern hemisphere. The equinox is also when the length of the day and night are equal and the Sun rises due east and sets due west. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Lodriguss, Gerard |
Bildgröße: | 3504 px × 2346 px |
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