1. A large zodiacal constellation on the equator; between Leo and Libra.
2. The sixth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from August 23 to September 22; Also called: Virgo the Virgin.
Zodiacal constellation, the second largest in the sky. It is represented as a maiden holding an ear of wheat. The Sun passes through Virgo from late Sept to the end of Oct. Virgo's brightest star is the first-magnitude Spica. Virgo contains the nearest large cluster of galaxies to us, 50 million light-years away, consisting of about 3,000 galaxies centered on the giant elliptical galaxy M87. Also in Virgo is the nearest quasar, 3C 273, an estimated 3 billion light-years distant. In astrology, the dates for Virgo are between about 23 Aug and 22 Sept (see precession).