Stars of the Cancer Constellation
Explore the celestial gems within the Crab's domain.
The zodiac sign Cancer is represented by the Crab. Its constellation is not the brightest in the sky, but it contains several fascinating stars, star clusters, and a famous star cluster known as the "Beehive." Here are some of its notable stellar inhabitants.
Altarf (Beta Cancri)
Binary Star System
The brightest star in Cancer, a giant star about 290 light-years away. Its name comes from Arabic, meaning "the eye" or "the glance (of the lion)."
Acubens (Alpha Cancri)
Multiple Star System
Its name means "the claw" in Arabic. It is a double star, appearing as a faint point of light to the naked eye, located approximately 174 light-years from Earth.
Asellus Australis (Delta Cancri)
Orange Giant
Known as the "Southern Donkey," this star forms part of an ancient asterism within Cancer. It is a giant star with a distinct orange hue.
Messier 44 (Praesepe)
Open Star Cluster
Also called the Beehive Cluster. This beautiful cluster is visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch. It contains over 1,000 stars and is about 577 light-years away.
Asellus Borealis (Gamma Cancri)
White Subgiant
The "Northern Donkey," a white-hued star that, with Delta Cancri, flank the Beehive Cluster. It lies about 158 light-years from our solar system.
Tegmine (Zeta Cancri)
Multiple Star System
A complex system of at least four stars, requiring a telescope to resolve. Its name is Latin for "the shell of the crab."
Celestial Context
In mythology, the Cancer constellation is often associated with the crab sent by Hera to distract Hercules during his fight with the Hydra. Despite being crushed, the crab was placed in the sky by the goddess. The stars within it, especially the misty Beehive Cluster, were once used by ancient sailors and farmers as a weather omen.
The stars of Cancer remind us of subtle strength and celestial mysteries hidden in plain sight.