Page:Field Book of Stars.djvu/78

 VIRGO (ver'-go)—THE VIRGIN. (Face West.)

—An imaginary line drawn from Antares in ../Scorpio/ through (α) Libræ and prolonged a little over 20 degrees strikes Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, which star is about 30 degrees southwest of Arcturus.

Arcturus, Cor Caroli, Denebola, and Spica form a figure about 50 degrees in length, called the Diamond of Virgo.

The stars (π) and (ξ) are almost exactly on the equator of the heavens.

The star (ε) is known as the "Grape Gatherer." It is observed to rise just before the sun at vintage time.

Spica is used for determining longitude at sea. It represents the ear of corn held in the Virgin's left hand.

Within the rude square formed by Denebola, ε, γ, and β, Virginis, the telescope reveals many wonderful nebulæ; hence this region of the sky has been called "The field of the Nebula." 56