Cancer constellation from Johann Bayer's star atlas Uranometria Omnium Asterismorum, 1603. Cancer is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. It is one of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the
Cancer constellation from Johann Bayer's star atlas Uranometria Omnium Asterismorum, 1603. Cancer is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. It is one of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union. Cancer, or the Crab, is a relatively small constellation with mostly faint stars that lies in the northern hemisphere. In Greek mythology, Cancer is identified with the crab that appeared while Heracles was fighting the many-headed Hydra. The crab bit Heracles on the foot, Heracles crushed it and then the goddess Hera, a sworn enemy of Heracles, placed the crab among the stars. Constellations directly bordering Cancer are Lynx, Gemini, Canis Minor, Hydra, Leo and Leo Minor. Cancer is the fourth astrological sign in the Zodiac, which is associated with the constellation Cancer. It spans the 90-120th degree of the zodiac, between 90 and degree of celestial longitude, which the Sun transits this area on average between June 22 to July 22 each year. Johann Bayer's star atlas Uranometria Omnium Asterismorum was the first atlas to cover the entire celestial sphere. The Uranometria introduced a new system of star designation which has become known as the Bayer designation. His atlas added 12 new constellations to fill in the far south of the night sky, which was unknown to ancient Greece and Rome.
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