|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Virgo
Virgo [Lat.,=the virgin], constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Libra and Leo, and SW of Boötes; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac . Virgo is traditionally depicted as a maiden holding an ear of grain to symbolize the harvest; various civilizations identified her with such figures as Ceres, Isis, Ishtar, and Rhea. The most prominent star is Spica (Alpha Virginis), a white star of first magnitude. In 1936 a supernova was discovered in Virgo. A famous cluster of 2,500 galaxies, the Virgo cluster, lies in the constellation; the radio galaxy Virgo A is also found there. Virgo reaches its highest point in the evening sky in late May. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Virgo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Virgo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Virgo.html "Virgo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Virgo.html |
|
Virgo
Vir·go / ˈvərgō/ 1. Astron. a large constellation (the Virgin), said to represent a maiden or goddess associated with the harvest. It contains several bright stars, the brightest of which is Spica, and a dense cluster of galaxies. ∎ [as genitive] (Vir·gi·nis / ˈvərjənis/ ) used with a preceding letter or numeral to designate a star in this constellation: the star Gamma Virginis. 2. Astrol. the sixth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about August 23. ∎ (a Virgo) (pl. -gos) a person born when the sun is in this sign. DERIVATIVES: Vir·go·an / -gōən/ n. & adj. (in sense 2). |
|
|
Cite this article
"Virgo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Virgo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-virgo.html "Virgo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-virgo.html |
|
Virgo
Virgo (abbr. Vir, gen. Virginis) The largest constellation of the zodiac, and the second-largest constellation of all, representing the goddess of justice. It lies on the celestial equator. The Sun passes through Virgo from the third week of September to the end of October, and hence lies within the constellation at the autumnal equinox. Its brightest star is Spica (Alpha Virginis). Gamma Virginis is a double star known as Porrima. The constellation contains numerous members of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. M104, the Sombrero Galaxy, is not part of the cluster. Virgo also contains the brightest quasar, 3C 273, magnitude 12.9, about 3 billion l.y. away.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Virgo." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Virgo." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Virgo.html "Virgo." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Virgo.html |
|
Virgo
Virgo a large constellation (the Virgin), said to represent a maiden or goddess associated with the harvest. It contains several bright stars, the brightest of which is Spica, and a dense cluster of galaxies.
In astrology, Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about 23 August. |
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Virgo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Virgo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Virgo.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Virgo." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Virgo.html |
|
Virgo
Virgo (Virgin) Equatorial constellation on the ecliptic between Leo and Libra. It lies in a region of the sky that has many galaxies and galaxy clusters. The brightest star is the first-magnitude Alpha Virginis, or Spica.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Virgo." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Virgo." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Virgo.html "Virgo." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Virgo.html |
|
Virgo
Virgo constellation lying between Leo and Libra; sixth sign of the zodiac. XIV. — L., ‘virgin’.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "Virgo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "Virgo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-Virgo.html T. F. HOAD. "Virgo." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-Virgo.html |
|
Virgo
Virgo
•Hidalgo
•charango, Durango, fandango, mango, Okavango, quango, Sango, tango
•Glasgow
•Argo, argot, cargo, Chicago, embargo, escargot, farrago, largo, Margot, Otago, Santiago, virago
•Lego • Marengo
•Diego, galago, Jago, lumbago, sago, Tierra del Fuego, Tobago, Winnebago
•amigo, ego, Vigo
•bingo, dingo, Domingo, flamingo, gringo, jingo, lingo
•Bendigo • indigo • archipelago
•vertigo • Sligo
•doggo, logo
•bongo, Congo, drongo, Kongo, pongo
•a-gogo, go-go, pogo, Togo
•Hugo
•fungo, mungo
•ergo, Virgo
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Virgo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Virgo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Virgo.html "Virgo." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Virgo.html |
|