Spica

Spica (/ˈspaɪkə/; α Vir, α Virginis, Alpha Virginis) is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, and the 15th brightest star in the night sky. Located 250 ± 10 light years from Earth, it is actually a spectroscopic binary and rotating ellipsoidal variable—a system whose two main stars are so close together they are egg-shaped rather than spherical, and can only be separated by their spectrum. The primary is a blue giant and a variable star of the Beta Cephei type.

Observation history

Spica is believed to be the star that gave Hipparchus the data that led him to discover the precession of the equinoxes. A temple to Menat (an early Hathor) at Thebes was oriented with reference to Spica when it was built in 3200 BC, and, over time, precession slowly but noticeably changed Spica's location relative to the temple.Nicolaus Copernicus made many observations of Spica with his home-made triquetrum for his researches on precession.

As one of the nearest massive binary star systems to the Sun, Spica has been the subject of many observational studies.

Spica (disambiguation)

Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo

Spica may refer to:

Music

Medicine

Naval vessels

Technology

Businesses

Spica (band)

Spica (Hangul: 스피카, stylized as SPICA) is a South Korean girl group formed in 2012 under B2M Entertainment. The group released "Doggedly" (독하게) as a prologue single on January 31, 2012 and officially debuted on February 9 with the mini album Russian Roulette. The group consists of Kim Boa, Park Sihyun, Park Narae, Yang Jiwon and Kim Bohyung.

History

2012: Debut, Doggedly, Russian Roulette and Lonely

In the beginning of 2012, B2M Entertainment announced that they would debut a girl group. Their name is a reference to Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo. On January 10, 2012, the group released their first digital single, "Doggedly" (독하게; also translated "Potently"). The music video sparked high interest, as their fellow label-mate Lee Hyori made an appearance.

On January 31, B2M Entertainment announced that the group would have their formal debut with a mini-album, titled Russian Roulette. The full-length music video was released on February 7. Promotions for "Russian Roulette" began two days later on M! Countdown. The lyrics of the song were later modified in order to meet MBC's broadcasting standards. The group released a repackaged extended play entitled Painkiller on March 29, promoting the title track of the same name.