The constellation Virgo, the virgin, is now well placed for observation in the northern hemisphere's spring months. Although one of the fainter zodiacal constellations, it sits on the ecliptic—the imaginary line followed by the sun, moon and planets—making it a target for stargazers.
Virgo lies between the much brighter Leo to the west and the equally faint Libra to the east. For those in London, the best view is looking due south at around 2300 BST on Monday, with similar conditions throughout the week.
This constellation is part of Ptolemy's original catalogue of 48 constellations from the second century, but its origins date back even further to Babylonian astronomy in the 10th century BCE. In western mythology, Virgo is often linked to the harvest; the Babylonians saw it as the goddess Shala, while the Greeks associated it with Demeter, goddess of agriculture.
The brightest star in Virgo, Spica, represents an ear of wheat held in the maiden's hand. Occasionally, Virgo has also been depicted holding the scales of Libra, symbolising justice. Southern hemisphere observers can also spot Virgo this time of year, appearing high in the eastern sky during early evening.
