What is Cancer (constellation)?
{{Infobox Constellation | name = Cancer | abbreviation = Cnc | genitive = Cancri | symbology = the [[Crab]] | RA = 9 | dec= +20 | areatotal = 506 | arearank = 31st | numbermainstars = 5 | numberbfstars = 76 | numberstarsplanets = 1 | numberbrightstars = 0 | numbernearbystars = 2 | brighteststarname = [[Beta Cancri|β Cnc]] (Altarf) | starmagnitude = 3.5 | neareststarname = [[DX Cancri|DX Cnc]] | stardistance = 11.8 | numbermessierobjects = 2 | meteorshowers = [[Delta Cancrids]] | bordering = [[Lynx (constellation)|Lynx]]<br />[[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]<br />[[Canis Minor]]<br />[[Hydra (constellation)|Hydra]]<br />[[Leo (constellation)|Leo]]<br />[[Leo Minor]] (corner) | latmax = 90 | latmin = 60 | month = March | notes=}} '''Cancer''' ({{pron-en|ˈkænsɚ}}) is one of the twelve [[constellation]]s of the [[zodiac]]. The name is [[Latin]] for [[crab]]. Its symbol is ({{Unicode|Unicode ♋}}). Cancer is small and the stars are dim. It is between [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]] to the west and [[Leo (constellation)|Leo]] to the east, [[Lynx (constellation)|Lynx]] to the north and [[Canis Minor]] and [[Hydra (constellation)|Hydra]] to the south. Right in the middle of the constellation is [[M44]], the [[Beehive Cluster]], one of the nearest open clusters to Earth. == References == * ''Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning'', by Richard Hinckley Allen, Dover. {{ISBN|978-0-486-21079-7}} * Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). ''Stars and Planets Guide'', Collins, London. {{ISBN|978-0007251209}}. Princeton University Press, Princeton. {{ISBN|978-0-691-13556-4}}. * ''Dictionary of Symbols'', by Carl G. Liungman, W. W. Norton & Company. {{ISBN|978-0-393-31236-2}} == Other websites == {{Commons|Cancer (constellation)}} * [http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/cancer/ The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Cancer] * [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cancer.htm Star Tales – Cancer] <br /> {{constellations}} {{Zodiac}} [[Category:Constellations]] [[Category:Constellations listed by Ptolemy]]