Cancer
Where is Cancer?
Look east, about 40° up at 05:17. It rises at 00:41 and climbs through the night.
- Rises
- 00:41
- Highest
- 08:39
- Sets
- 16:42
- Best after dark
- 05:17 · 40°
How to find Cancer
Nearby constellations include Hydra.
Its center is at right ascension 8h 38m, declination +21°. Use the chart above: north is up and east is to the left, as when you face south from the Northern Hemisphere.
Best time to see Cancer
Cancer is highest in the evening sky, around 10 pm, in February. A month or two either side it is still well placed, earlier or later in the night. All of it rises above the horizon from latitudes of about 90° N to 56° S.
From London tonight, Cancer is above the horizon after dark. It’s highest just before dawn, around 05:17, in the east at 40°.
This is position and timing only: clouds, haze and light pollution aren’t included.
Seeing Cancer
Eyes
Its stars are fairly faint (the brightest, its alpha star, is mag 3.5). You’ll need a sky away from bright lights to trace the pattern.
Binoculars
Binoculars show many more stars than your eye, and bring out star clusters and brighter nebulae inside it.
Telescope
The constellation is far too large for a telescope’s view. Use one for the clusters, nebulae and galaxies inside it.
About
Cancer (genitive Cancri, abbreviated Cnc) is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union, which together cover the whole sky.
SkyMate’s web catalog includes 1 named star and 2 deep-sky objects in Cancer.
Brightest stars and objects in Cancer
Questions
When is Cancer visible?
Can I see Cancer from where I live?
Sources: IAU; Wikidata (CC0); SkyMate. Positions computed for your place and time with astronomy-engine. Data & Licences