Who Named the Constellation Cancer?

The constellation of Cancer (the crab) received its name during ancient times from the Greeks and Romans, who assigned Latin names to the star groupings in the night sky. The word "cancer" means crab in Latin, and the constellation supposedly represents one of these crustaceans.

History

By A.D. 150 there were 48 recognized constellations named and classified by the Greeks, with Cancer among them.

Significance

The constellation has an association with the Hercules legend, representing the crab that attacked the hero as he fought the Hydra in one his Twelve Labors. After Hercules crushed it, the goddess Hera (no fan of Hercules) rewarded its brave effort by placing it in the sky as a constellation.

Considerations

Cancer contains no bright stars but does have an interesting area within its borders, an open cluster of stars that Galileo saw fit to study with his telescope.

Praesepe

This open cluster has the name Praesepe, a Latin word that means crib, manger or hive. In modern times, the English began to refer to this cluster as the "Beehive" for its many stars resembling swarming bees.

Fun Fact

Two of the brighter stars within Cancer are Acubens, which translates into "claw," and Al Tarf, which is Arabic for "the end" and marks the back legs of the crab.

References

• The Constellations:Night Sky Info
• Constellation Cancer:ColdwaterK12
• Constellation Cancer:Division for Academy Ops