Cancer - The Crab

Learn about the constellation Cancer - The Crab, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Cancer is small and dim, and to many, it does not resemble a crab. It lies between Gemini to the west and Leo to the east, Lynx to the north and Canis Minor and Hydra to the south.

Location: Northern Spring 9h RA 20° Dec

Cancer is best noted among stargazers as the home of Praesepe (M44), an open cluster also called the Beehive Cluster or the Gate of Men, which contains the star η Cancri.

Cancer Mythology

Cancer, the Crab, plays a minor role in the Twelve Labors of Hercules. While Hercules was busy fighting the multi-headed monster, Hydra, the goddess Hera, who did not like Hercules, sent the Crab to distract him. Cancer grabbed onto the hero's toe with its claws, but barely breaking the rhythm of his great battle with Hydra, Hercules crushed the crab with his foot. Hera, grateful for the little crustacean's heroic but pitiful effort, gave it a place in the sky.

Cancer Deep Space Objects

Cancer is best known among stargazers as the home of Praesepe (Messier 44), an open cluster also called the Beehive Cluster.

The smaller, denser open cluster Messier 67 can also be found in Cancer, 2600 light-years from Earth.

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.

#		Common Name	Constellation	Month	Coords	Direction	Mag	Size (arcmin)	Type	Star Chart
C48 NGC 2775			Cancer	Feb	09h 10.3m RA +07° 02m Dec	S	10.30	4.3x3.3	Spiral Galaxy	🔍︎
M44 NGC 2632		Praesepe	Cancer	Feb	08h 40.1m RA 19° 59m Dec	S	3.70	95	Open Cluster	🔍︎
M67 NGC 2682		Golden-Eye Cluster (Pac-Man Cluster)	Cancer	Feb	08h 50.4m RA 11° 49m Dec	S	6.10	30	Open Cluster	🔍︎