Starwatch: Virgo is at its most visible in northern spring skies

Constellation is now on opposite side of sky to the sun and best placed for night-time observation

Virgo, the virgin, is a prominent constellation in the northern spring skies. It is one of the zodiacal constellations, sandwiched between Libra to the east and Leo to the west.

Being in the zodiac means the sun, moon and planets all pass through its boundaries at certain times; the moon every month, the sun once a year around the time of the autumnal equinox in September.