Background:
Cancer (the Crab) is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. Cancer consists mainly of six fairly faint stars and bright city lights can make it difficult to spot. (“Cancer” is derived from the word “Cancridae” which is a family of many of the best known edible crabs).

Lying in cancer is the Beehive open star cluster, M44 (also known as “Praesepe”). This is an excellent binocular object and can be seen as a fuzzy patch with the naked eye. In one mythological story, Hercules was fighting the giant monster Hydra (also a constellation close by). The crab was sent to distract Hercules from his fighting, but was crushed by Hercules in the process of doing so! For its valour, the Crab was placed in the heavens as part of the zodiacal constellations.

Where is it?
In mid-autumn Cancer can be found in the northern region of the sky above the horizon in the evenings. It lies between the bright constellations of Gemini and Leo. It lies outside the Milky Way region but contains a lot of faint stars within its constellation boudary.


Finding it:
Due to its faint stars, Cancer can be difficult to observe from a city. It is recommended that you find the twin stars of Gemini (Castor and Pollux) to the lower west of Cancer and star hop your way upwards. You can also move down (north) from the circle of Hydra just "above" Cancer. Alternatively you can find the open cluster M44 through a binocular / with the naked eye and search for the other stars from there.