Star profile
Nu Virginis
Variable starWhat is Nu Virginis
Nu Virginis is a red giant on the asymptotic branch, an aged star that has exhausted the hydrogen in its core and is slowly swelling some 294 light-years from Earth. Its surface, far cooler than the Sun's, vibrates in at least four distinct periods —eleven, twelve, sixteen and twenty-four days— like an irregular percussion. It marks the classical western tip of Virgo, almost due south of bright Denebola in Leo.
Where it is and when to see it
Nu Virginis lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is March, when it culminates around midnight.
- From London it culminates about 45° above the horizon.
- From New York it culminates about 56° above the horizon.
- From Sydney it culminates about 50° above the horizon.
It can be seen from anywhere north of 83° S.
It ranks no. 11 in brightness among the 99 stars of Virgo in our catalogue. To find it, start from Spica, the brightest: it lies about 30° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).
The light you see today left it about 290 years ago.
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Astronomical data for Nu Virginis
- Constellation
- Virgo
- Apparent magnitude
- 4.04
- Distance
- 293.9 light years
- Coordinates (J2000)
- RA 176.465° · Dec 6.529°
- Catalogue
- HIP 57380 · HD 102212
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Other stars in Virgo
Virgo has 99 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.
- SpicaAlpha Virginis0.98
- PorrimaGamma Virginis2.74
- VindemiatrixEpsilon Virginis2.85
- 109 Virginis3.73
- Mu Virginis3.87
- ZaniahEta Virginis3.89
- SyrmaIota Virginis4.07
- Omicron Virginis4.12