Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo and the 15th brightest star in Earth's night sky. A close binary star system, Spica is comprised of two stellar components that have a 4.1 day orbital period. Visibility of both components can not be resolved with a telescope due to their close proximity. Residing at 260 light years distant and having about 10.5 solar masses (Sun = 1 solar mass), Spica's primary star is one of the closest Type II supernova candidates to the Solar System. Spica is about 12,100 times brighter than the Sun. -Scott