Cart
0

Free Shipping on Orders Over $75 & Installment Billing on Orders over $500 (Exclusions Apply)

{"closeOnBackgroundClick":true,"bindings":{"bind0":{"fn":"function(){$.fnProxy(arguments,\'#headerOverlay\',OverlayWidget.show,\'OverlayWidget.show\');}","type":"quicklookselected","element":".ql-thumbnail .Quicklook .trigger"}},"effectOnShowSpeed":"1200","dragByBody":false,"dragByHandle":true,"effectOnHide":"fade","effectOnShow":"fade","cssSelector":"ql-thumbnail","effectOnHideSpeed":"1200","allowOffScreenOverlay":false,"effectOnShowOptions":"{}","effectOnHideOptions":"{}","widgetClass":"OverlayWidget","captureClicks":true,"onScreenPadding":10}

{"ensembleSEOTranslationTypes":"ensemble","widgetClass":"BreadcrumbWidget","productSEOTranslationTypes":"product","categorySEOTranslationTypes":"category|communitySection,communityCategory,communityThumbnail","delimText":"","isCommunity":"true","catalogSEOTranslationTypes":"catalog","showCatalog":false}

Home
 
Constellation in Focus: Virgo
Constellation in Focus: Virgo
Constellation in Focus: Virgo

Virgo Constellation
Don't let the scale of the diagram above fool you. Representing the goddess of justice, Virgo is the second largest constellation in the sky.

Spica, a first magnitude blue-white star, is easy to spot, shining as it does in a fairly dark part of the sky.

M49 and M60 are elliptical galaxies. Being one of the brightest ellipticals, M49 was the first member of the Virgo-Supercluster to be discovered by Charles Messier. M60 is some 60,000,000 lightyears distant and is as luminous as 60 billion copies of our sun.

Most of the galaxies in Virgo are part of the Virgo-Supercluster. Not so M104. At about 50,000 lightyears, this galaxy?s dark dust lane and close to edge-on angle (just 6°) makes it look a little like a sombrero.

M61 is a lovely face-on spiral galaxy while NGC 5746 is an edge-on spiral galaxy that?s best observed in small scopes.

Finally, Porrima is a fine doule-star worthy of a peek.

June 2006

Details
Date Taken: 04/13/2011
Author: Sean O'Dwyer

Astro-images taken through a telescope on a tracking mount provide breathtaking color and detail that you just can't see with your eyes alone. The astro-images on our web site demonstrate the imaging capabilities of the products used and are not intended to represent what you will see when you look through a telescope. Learn More

Some materials in our Resource Center require Adobe Reader. Download Adobe Reader here. Adobe Flash Player may be required to view some content. Download the Flash Player here.

{"closeOnBackgroundClick":true,"bindings":{"bind1":{"fn":"function(event, startIndex, itemCount, newItems) { QuickLookWidget.assignEvents(newItems); $(\".Quicklook > .trigger\", newItems).bind(\"quicklookselected\", function(event, source, x, y) { OverlayWidget.show(\'#_widget941266720005\', event, source, x, y); }); }","type":"itemsloaded","element":".PagedDataSetFilmstripLoader > .trigger"},"bind0":{"fn":"function(){$.fnProxy(arguments,\'#_widget941266720005\',OverlayWidget.show,\'OverlayWidget.show\');}","type":"quicklookselected","element":".Quicklook > .trigger"}},"effectOnShowSpeed":"","dragByBody":false,"dragByHandle":true,"effectOnHide":"fade","effectOnShow":"fade","cssSelector":"ql-category","effectOnHideSpeed":"1200","allowOffScreenOverlay":false,"effectOnShowOptions":"{}","effectOnHideOptions":"{}","widgetClass":"OverlayWidget","captureClicks":true,"onScreenPadding":10}

Payment Options Payment Options Payment Options Payment Options Payment Options
Since 1975

Why Buy From Orion

  • 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
  • Safe & Secure Shopping
  • Next Day Shipping
  • Easy Returns
  • Sale Price Guarantee
  • Free Technical Support
More Information
Shop our Catalogs

Shop Our Catalogs

Check out our colorful catalog, filled with hundreds of quality products.

See our eCatalogs

About Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

Since 1975 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars has been offering telescopes for sale direct to customers. Now an employee-owned company, we pride ourselves on an unswerving commitment to best quality products, value and unmatched customer care. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee says it all.

Orion offers telescopes for every level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. From our entry level beginner telescopes for amateur astronomers to our Dobsonian telescopes to our most advanced Cassegrain telescopes and accessories, you can find the best telescope for you. Because we sell direct, we can offer you tremendous value at a great price. Not sure how to choose a telescope? Orion's Telescope Buyer's Guide is a great place to start.

Orion binoculars are known for quality optics at a great price. We offer binoculars for every viewing interest, including astronomical binoculars, compact binoculars, waterproof binoculars, birding binoculars, and sport and hunting binoculars.

Orion's telescope and astrophotography accessories will enhance your telescope enjoyment without breaking the bank. Expand your viewing experience with accessories ranging from moon filters to power-boosting Barlow lenses to advanced computerized telescope mounts. Capture breathtaking photos with our affordable astrophotography cameras. And when you're stargazing, Orion's telescope cases and covers, observing gear, red LED flashlights, astronomy books and star charts will make your observing sessions more convenient, comfortable and meaningful.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, & reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!