The constellation Cancer is one of the most inconspicuous in outer space. But astronomers do not experience problems with observing the zodiac constellation, so they managed to collect a lot of interesting information about it.

Cancer constellation position and map

This constellation is not included in the list of large ones and is located only in 31st place in this parameter. The area of ​​the zodiac cluster is almost 506 square degrees. To find it, you need to pay attention to the second quadrant observed from the northern part of the planet. Cancer is located in the area between latitudes from -60 to +90 degrees. Nearby are the constellations Lynx, Lesser Leo, Hydra, Lesser Dog, Leo and Gemini.

Interesting fact: The most visible star in the constellation has a brightness of 3.53 m, which is why it looks rather faded compared to the others.

On the map of the constellation, you can see two large clusters - M67 and Manger. Not far from them are two luminaries with planets orbiting around. Between the objects there is a stream of meteors called the Cancrid Delta.

Cancer constellation characteristics

Like other constellations, Cancer has certain parameters that astronomers have already managed to study well. However, they are periodically updated and updated with new information. At the moment, the characteristics of the object are as follows:

• the Latin name sounds like Cancer and has the abbreviation Cnc;
• the symbol of the constellation is Cancer;
• right ascension can be observed from 7 hours 48 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes;
• the constellation has a declination of magnitude from +7 degrees to +33 degrees 30 minutes;
• Cancer area is 506 square degrees;
• the brightest star in the cluster is Altarf;
• there are meteor showers Delta-Canzirida;
• the exact coordinates of the constellation lie in latitudes from -56 degrees to +90 degrees;
• Cancer is most visible in the sky from January to February.

These characteristics allow scientists to quickly find the constellation in the sky and begin to study.

Cancer constellation myth

Since the constellation was discovered back in ancient Greece, it is not surprising that there is a myth explaining its appearance. When Hercules entered the battle with the Lerne Hydra, the latter immediately realized that she had little chance of winning an honest battle. And then she persuaded the cancer to distract the demigod so that she had a chance to strike.

Interesting fact: The Lernean Hydra is a large monster, on the shoulders of which are located several heads that emit poisonous aromas.

The creature crept to the target and tried to pull at the heel. However, Hercules immediately reacted to this and kicked the cancer so hard that it flew into the sky, where it turned into a constellation.

There is a version that Hercules did not kick, but crushed the poor arthropod. And then, after the end of the fight, Hydra independently placed him in the sky in gratitude for the attempt to help her.

Also, with this myth, some ancient astronomers explained the invisibility of Cancer against the background of the other constellations. Since he was a simple, insignificant creature, his stellar version also turned out to be nondescript and easily lost against the background of large mythical creatures and gods.

The main stars of the constellation Cancer

Since the constellation Cancer is relatively small by cosmic standards, it does not contain many stars. Although astronomers have long identified the main celestial bodies, which are landmarks for detecting a cluster:

1. Acubens. The star is located in 174 light years and is the alpha of the constellation. In terms of light intensity, Akubens is 23 times superior to the Sun. During the year, there are periods when it hides behind the moon and becomes inaccessible for viewing. In ancient times, Arab astronomers called the star “claws”.
2. Altarf. Beta Cancer is a system consisting of two stars: a giant with an orange glow and its satellite.These objects have a total brightness of 3.5, which makes Altarf the most visible star in the cluster.
3. Azellus Australis. The orange giant, 4 times the size of the Sun, is a delta. It is located 180 light-years from Earth, is considered the second brightest in the constellation and is part of the Nursery cluster.
4. Azellus Borealis. This star can also hide behind the moon at certain times. It is a white subgiant located at a distance of 158 light years. The object has the status of Gamma Cancer. There is a myth that Borealis is a donkey on which one of the gods came to battle with the titans.
5. 55. The object consists of two dwarfs. Despite the fact that the system is only 41 light-years away, it cannot be seen without a telescope with good magnification. Five planets revolve around one of the dwarfs in orbit.
6. Tegmin. It consists of four stars and is a zeta of the constellation. The system has an orbital period of 17 years.
7. Lambda. It is one of the most distant stars from the solar system: light from a white dwarf reaches the Earth in 419 years. The apparent magnitude of the object is 5.92 m.
8. Xi. It consists of a yellow giant and its satellite, located at a distance of 381 light years.

Interesting fact: star Azellus Astralis, the Babylonians called “Arkushanangarushashutu”. It translates as “Star of the constellation Cancer located in the southeast” and is considered the longest name for a celestial object.

The constellation Cancer consists of many stars, but most have low brightness, which is why they rarely receive attention from astronomers.

Cancer Celestial Objects

In the constellation Cancer, astronomers daily observe various objects of great interest for study. Now you can make a list of celestial bodies that have certain characteristics:

1. Day nursery. A star cluster located 577 light years from Earth. He is estimated to be over 600 million years old, making him relatively young by space standards. The composition includes more than a thousand stars, of which two-thirds are dwarfs, and the rest are stars like the Sun. The brightness of objects is in the range from 6 to 6.5 m. The nursery is clearly visible to the naked eye, so they were discovered in ancient times. Ptolemy was the first to give a detailed description and cataloged it.
2. Messier 67. A cluster discovered by astronomer Koehler in the year 1779. It is a star system consisting of more than one hundred stars, among which there are several red giants. It is estimated that Messier 67 appeared about five billion years ago, making it one of the oldest clusters known to date. Interestingly, almost all stars are equally spaced from each other and have the same age. Observing these objects allows scientists to build theories regarding the evolution of space.
3. Caldwell-48. A spiral-shaped galaxy approximately 56 million light-years distant from the solar system. Her sleeves are around a bright center. Consists of many stars and planets.
4. NGC 2535 and 2536. Two galaxies located close to each other, which is why they have a mutual influence.
5. NGC 2500. A spiral-shaped galaxy located at a distance of 33 million light years. It was discovered in the 18th century, and then astronomers carried it to the constellation Lynx.
6. NGC 2608. A galaxy with a length of 62 thousand light years. Its structure changes regularly as the sleeves rotate around its center. Astronomers periodically observe the appearance of supernovae and the appearance of other objects. NGC 2608 is 92 million light-years away.

Interesting fact: many objects that make up the constellation periodically “hide” behind the moon. And then astronomers need to wait until they again go out into the open.

The constellation Cancer is of great interest for study.It includes both ancient and relatively young objects, merging into a single picture, which helps to make an idea of ​​the cosmos and its structure.

Observing how to find in the sky

Since the constellation Cancer is not the brightest in the sky, to see it, you need to use at least binoculars for observation. It is also advisable to go outside the city so that the light of streets and lampposts do not block the stars.

To find the cluster, you need to look south, where Gemini and Leo are. Between them just will be Cancer. If you look through the binoculars, you will immediately notice the Akubens, the brightest star in its composition. On the territory of the Russian Federation, it is better to observe congestion in the winter months.

Interesting fact: starting from July 20th, the constellation Cancer hides behind the Sun for several days, which makes it impossible to observe it.

Name history

The history of the name of the constellation has a direct connection with the myth of its appearance. Since the cluster was first discovered and described by the ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy, for the convenience of classification and designation, he used gods and fairy creatures, whose names migrated to the created map of the starry sky.

The brightest stars of the constellation are arranged in such a way that they seemed to Ptolemy similar to the outlines of an arthropod creature. The astronomer immediately remembered the myth of cancer, which prevented Hercules in the battle with Hydra. Also in the finale of the legend it was mentioned that when the warrior kicked him, the creature went to heaven. And since the size and brightness of the constellation are small compared to others, it can just be associated with cancer.

Cancer Constellation Symbol - 69

Many people know that the symbol “Cancer” is the number “69”. And it is drawn with a slight slope to the right. This designation appeared relatively recently. The ancient Greeks drew a real cancer for drawing on a heavenly map, but since it took a lot of time, a simpler option was invented later - 69. Moreover, a symbol can mean completely different things and is interpreted differently in certain situations. There are several basic versions of what it means:

• the number “69”, which is the most popular and common option;
• two claws stacked on top of each other: if you look at live cancer and observe its manner of laying in limb space, it really will look like this symbol;
• means one of the options for designating infinity - ouroboros;
• some see this as yin and yang - a fusion of male and female principles;
• The least popular opinion is that the image of the female breast is hidden in this symbol.

Although people still have not reached a consensus on what the symbol of the constellation Cancer means, it is actively used throughout the world due to its simplicity and prevailing historicity.

Cancer constellation in astrology

The period of the constellation Cancer in astrology begins on June 22 and lasts until July 22. All who were born at this time belong to this zodiac sign. The sun is in the cluster zone from July 21 to August 9.

The person belonging to this sign is in most cases jealous, and also loves to take care of his family and loved ones. There may be several conflicting qualities in the character. For example, crayfish without problems can achieve success at work due to hard work, but in their free time they become unusually lazy.

People born under this sign constantly learn useful lessons from past situations and gain experience. This helps them not to make mistakes in the future and improve their living conditions.

Interesting fact: the planet of the sign Cancer is the satellite of the Earth - the Moon. It is believed that it is she who has a serious influence on him. It is not surprising, because many objects of the cluster are hiding behind this celestial body.

When choosing a second half, crayfish do not always act sincerely.They can associate their fate with a person solely because of his well-being. But they are also able to greatly experience the loss of their love.