Spica

Spica is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Latin. It is the name of HIP65474 (α Vir, HR 5056) in constellation Vir.

Etymology and History

Its ancient Roman name meaning "the Ear of Grain", after the star's Greek name στάχυς of identical meaning (in turn having obvious origins among the Babylonians and Sumerians). Reapplied in Renaissance times.

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2016/06/30.

Weblinks

• Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/

Reference

• References (general)
• Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub.