VIRGIL

VIRGIL [8-10 / 15º-(-30º)] is one of the constellations in the "One Size Fits All" (1975) "universe".

The star "Embankment" (from the first edition of the artwork) is renamed "Charing Cross"; together with "Waterloo", this is a reference to two subway stations near Festival Hall in London, where Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Sexually Aroused Gas Mask was recorded for the Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970) album. Other London subway stations: "Marylebone", "Edgware Road", "Bayswater", "Queensway"

The New York subway system: "125th", "Lenox", "Houston", "Spring Garden St.", "Canal", on the "Yellow" line.

The Philadelphia subway system: "Olney", "Wyoming", "Huntingpark", on the "Orange" line.

Yhe Los Angeles subway system: ?

Other stars: "Horn Relay", "Acc. Flasher", "R.Dir.Sig.Lamp".

? "6 Red"

? "Black"

VIRGIL is a pun on Virgo, one of the 13 constellations of the Zodiac. It's galaxy time, folks. The constellation of Virgo is the center of the closest large cluster of galaxies, and can easily take up several evenings of observing time. While the galaxies in Ursa Major are 10-40 million light years away, the galaxies of Virgo are about twice as distant at about 70 million light years. As such, these galaxies show a lot less detail. But what they lack in quality, they make up in quantity. In some areas, it is difficult to move a whole telescopic field of view without seeing one or more galaxies. A good star atlas is a must in this region for identifying all the galaxies visible in a telescope of moderate aperture. While I'm only going to be describing some of the brighter members here, I encourage all to try navigating this area. It would be hard not to improve your observing skills by meeting this challenge head-on.