'''Spica''', also called '''Alpha Virginis''', is a star located in the constellation [[Virgo]], about 10 degrees south of the [[ecliptic]]. The star is the brightest star of the Virgo constellation and the 15th brightest star overall in the night sky.<ref>http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/extra/brightest.html</ref> It is 260 light years distant from our [[Solar System]]. Like [[Regulus]], Spica is regularly occulted by the [[Moon]] and less frequently so by the various planets of the Solar System. The next occultation of Spica by a planet will be September 2, 2197, by [[Venus]]. | '''Spica''', also called '''Alpha Virginis''', is a star located in the constellation [[Virgo]], about 10 degrees south of the [[ecliptic]]. The star is the brightest star of the Virgo constellation and the 15th brightest star overall in the night sky.<ref>http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/extra/brightest.html</ref> It is 260 light years distant from our [[Solar System]]. Like [[Regulus]], Spica is regularly occulted by the [[Moon]] and less frequently so by the various planets of the Solar System. The next occultation of Spica by a planet will be September 2, 2197, by [[Venus]]. |