Cancer constellation
Cancer is a zodiac constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Tarf. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.
- Springbest seen
- Tarfbrightest star, magnitude 3.5
- CncCancer
How to find the constellation Cancer
A faint constellation between Gemini and Leo. In its center is the Beehive cluster: on a dark night the naked eye sees it as a misty patch.
Best seen in spring: in March around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 56°.
| Location | Visibility |
|---|---|
| 40° NMadrid, New York, Beijing | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsaw | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg | rises and sets, fully visible |
Bright stars of the constellation
| Star | Magnitude | Color | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarfβ Cancri | 3.5 | orange | — |
| Asellus Australisδ Cancri | 3.9 | orange | — |
| Zubanahι Cancri | 4.0 | orange | — |
| Acubensα Cancri | 4.3 | bluish white | — |
Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.
Questions
How do you find the constellation Cancer in the sky?
A faint constellation between Gemini and Leo. In its center is the Beehive cluster: on a dark night the naked eye sees it as a misty patch.
When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Cancer?
In spring: in March around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.
What is the brightest star in the constellation Cancer?
Tarf: magnitude 3.5, orange.
How many stars are there in the constellation Cancer?
With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 49 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.