Where is the Cancer constellation located?
The period from winter to spring is the time when Cancer - the sign of the zodiac and a constellation which is not easy to observe - is visible in the English sky. It is quite dark and inconspicuous - compared to other constellations, but it is still worth looking for in the sky. Today we will tell you how to do it, and also discuss the most interesting and important information to know about this constellation.
Cancer - zodiac sign and constellation. The most important information
The Cancer (constellation) is small - it is ranked 31st- and the least bright if we consider only 12 zodiacal constellations. Cancer covers an area of 506 square degrees, and about 60 of them are visible to the naked eye, that is, without the use of a telescope. About 2,000 years ago, the location of the constellation of Cancer at that time was also the point of the summer solstice - hence the origin of the Tropic of Cancer. However, as a result of precession, this point has moved and is now located in the constellation of the Twins.
Cancer is an ancient constellation that was discovered by Ptolemy in II AD. - He included the brightest stars of Cancer in his compendium of astronomical knowledge, titled Algamest. The fact that the constellation of Cancer was observed in ancient times also means that it was included in Greek mythology. There are legends related to it, which we are about to discuss.
Cancer myths - a constellation discovered in ancient times
The Cancer constellation has been mentioned in Greek legends, although there are no spectacular stories associated with it. Their main character is Hercules, who was attacked by a huge Cancer - Karkinos. He was sent by Hera, who was jealous of Hercules, because he was the son of Zeus and Princess Alkmena. Although Zeus defeated Karkinos, Hera appreciated the heroism and sacrifice of Cancer, placing him, out of gratitude, in the sky.
There were also ancient peoples for whom Cancer was a much more important symbol in beliefs and myths. In ancient Egypt it was the scarab - a sacred beetle and symbol of immortality, whose image was placed on tomb furnishings, seals, amulets and jewelry.
If we are already talking about symbols, we can't help but mention what the symbol of zodiacal Cancer is. It resembles the number 69, inverted to the right, with a six at the top and a nine at the bottom.
The Cancer constellation and its most important stars
The brightest star in the constellation of Cancer is Beta Cancri, which marks the end of Cancer's "leg" - it is a K-type giant located 290 light-years from the Sun. The orange giant, on the other hand, is the second-brightest Delta Cancri. It is often covered by the Moon, and the ancient Babylonians gave it the name Arkushanangarushashutu. The third-brightest is the double star Jota Cancri, which consists of a G-type yellow giant and an A-type white dwarf.
Much more interesting are other objects, located in the area of the sky delineated by the Cancer constellation. We can find on it one of the brightest open clusters NGC2632, which is also called the object M44, the Hive cluster, the Nursery and Praesepe. It includes more than 300 stars, most of which are red dwarfs. It is also worth looking at the open cluster M67, which is one of the oldest clusters in the Milky Way. It consists of many red giants, as well as blue marauders. The constellation of Cancer is also the point in the sky from which the January meteor swarm, Anthelion, comes out.
How to find the Cancer constellation in the sky?
If you want to observe the constellation of Cancer, then you need to provide very good conditions. Its star system is not very characteristic and, above all, they are difficult to see with the naked eye - especially in urban conditions. So it is best to go to a place where the sky is not polluted by artificial light. The Cancer constellation is located between the constellations of the Twins and the Lion, and next to it are also the Lynx, Hydra and the Little Dog. It's a good idea to bring binoculars or a telescope, with which it will be easier to spot individual stars and objects from the so-called deep space.
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