Cancer

Cancer, (Greek: Καρκίνο (Karkínos)] is the fourth astrological sign of the zodiac and is represented by the crab. People born between June 21 and July 22 are said to have this zodiac sign. Cancer is one of the four cardinal signs, along with Aries, Libra, and Capricorn. Cardinal signs are said to have a dynamic and active nature, and Cancer is no exception. People born under this sign are known for their sensitivity, nurturing, and emotional depth. They are protective and loving parents, love being at home, and are seen as mothering figures in their friend’s lives.

History

The origins of Cancer can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where the constellation was associated with the scarab beetle. In Greek mythology, Cancer was linked to the crab that was sent by Hera to distract Hercules during one of his labors. The constellation was also associated with the goddess Selene, who was often depicted riding a chariot across the night sky.

Astronomical Properties

Cancer is a constellation that is located in the northern sky and is visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres. It is located between the constellations Gemini and Leo and is easily recognizable by the star cluster known as the Beehive Cluster.

The brightest star in Cancer is Al Tarf, which is located at the tip of one of the crab’s claws. Al Tarf is a yellow-white star that is 290 light-years away from Earth. It has a diameter that is four times larger than the sun and is one of the fainter stars in the constellation.

The Beehive Cluster, also known as M44, is a star cluster that is located in the body of the crab. It is one of the closest star clusters to Earth and is easily visible with the naked eye. The Beehive Cluster contains over 1,000 stars and is estimated to be about 600 million years old.

Cancer is also home to several other deep-sky objects, including the open star cluster M67, which is located near the crab’s head. M67 is one of the oldest open clusters known, with an estimated age of 4 billion years.