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Gamma Virginis

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Gamma Virginis (γ Vir / γ Virginis) is a star in the constellation Virgo. It also has the traditional name Porrima.

Gamma Virginis is a binary star, consisting of two stars of equal apparent magnitude 3.6 and spectral type F0. Until the beginning of the 1990s it was an easy object for amateur astronomers, but now the smaller apparent distance between the stars requires a larger telescope. The distance will again be wide enough in 2020 to view with a small telescope. The star system has a combined apparent magnitude of 2.9. The system is 32 light years away from the sun.

As Gamma Virginis is close to the ecliptic, it can be occulted by the Moon and (extremely rarely) by planets.

Changes of distance and position angle

Year, distance, position angle

  • 1995, 2.5", 280 degrees
  • 2000, 1.8", 267 degrees
  • 2002, 1.5", 259 degrees
  • 2004, 1.2", 246 degrees
  • 2006, 0.8", 221 degrees
  • 2008, 0.4", 126 degrees
  • 2010, 0.9", 44 degrees

Coordinates (equinox J2000.0)

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