Cancer constellation
Cancer is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the crab. It is highest in the sky at midnight around January 31, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 61°S.
Cancer at a glance
- Represents
- the crab
- Highest at midnight
- January 31
- Highest at 9 pm
- March 16
- Seen whole from
- 90°N to 61°S
- Stars in the figure
- 6 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
- Zodiac sign
- Cancer
When to see Cancer
Cancer is highest in the sky at midnight around January 31 and at 9 pm around March 16. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 1:00 a.m. |
| February 15 | 11:00 p.m. |
| March 15 | 9:10 p.m. |
| April 15 | 7:00 p.m. |
| May 15 | 5:10 p.m. |
| June 15 | 3:00 p.m. |
| July 15 | 1:10 p.m. |
| August 15 | 11:00 a.m. |
| September 15 | 9:00 a.m. |
| October 15 | 7:00 a.m. |
| November 15 | 5:00 a.m. |
| December 15 | 3:00 a.m. |
Where to look for Cancer
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Cancer rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on January 31, 69° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Cancer rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on January 31, 36° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Cancer
None of the stars of Cancer is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 3.
Cancer in myth and history
In Greek myth, the goddess Hera sent the crab to attack Heracles while he fought the Hydra. Heracles crushed it under his foot.
Cancer is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Cancer and the zodiac
In 2026, the Sun is in front of the stars of Cancer from July 20 to August 10. The zodiac sign Cancer covers other dates, because astrologers split the year into 12 equal signs that start at the March equinox.
Constellations next to Cancer
Find Cancer in your sky
Questions about Cancer
Cancer is highest in the sky at midnight around January 31 and at 9 pm around March 16. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Cancer rises above the horizon from 90°N to 61°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 81°S.
Cancer represents the crab. Cancer is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Yes. The Sun is in front of Cancer from July 20 to August 10 in 2026, and the zodiac sign Cancer is named after it.