The constellation Cancer is one of the most invisible sections of the sky. There are no bright stars in it. So, if you look with a naked eye into the dark night sky, the constellation looks like an empty place. But, despite its dullness and inconspicuousness, this zodiac constellation, therefore, plays an important role in human life and space. It is also called the Crab. In the sky, it resembles an inverted letter Y.
There are so many legends and secrets about him that it is very easy to get confused in them. It is not the first century that space and astrology attract people and attract with their riddles. After all, it is so unusual and very interesting.
We bring to your attention a list of 10 interesting facts about the constellation Cancer: myths and the history of discovery.
10. Cancer in heaven placed the goddess Hera
There is a legend how this constellation appeared in the sky. It is associated with the myths of ancient Greece, and more specifically, the myth of the 12 exploits of Hercules. One of the accomplishments of Hercules is the victory over the terrible hydra. The goddess Hera did not want this victory, so at the very height of the battle she sent cancer (or crab) to distract the hero. But then there is no consensus. Some say that Hercules kicked the cancer so hard that it flew off to the stars. Another version is that the hero simply took and trampled him.
And after the battle, the goddess Hera took pity on the creature and in gratitude placed him in heaven. But since he did not cope with his task, he remained there a dim constellation.
9. For the first time, the constellation was described by Ptolemy
The first time information about this constellation was recorded by Claudius Ptolemy, and only thanks to him did it survive today. Ptolemy is an astronomer who lived in Alexandria. He described the 47 most ancient constellations in his treatise "Almagest" back in 150 AD.
Despite the fact that it was a long time ago, the study was used over the next 1,500 years. The constellation Cancer entered the treatise along with others, so Ptolemy is rightfully considered the first person to describe him.
8. Located between the five constellations
The constellation Cancer is located in the northern hemisphere. It can be seen only on the brightest night. And it’s possible to find by looking between the constellations of Leo and Gemini. These are also two zodiac constellations, so everyone knows about them. But not everyone remembers the fact that Cancer is surrounded not only by them.
There are still constellations around such as Small Dog, Hydra and Lynx.. In total, it turns out that Cancer is located simultaneously between the five constellations.
7. The open star cluster M 67
Cancer constitutes several open star clusters.. A star cluster is a group of stars that were formed from one molecular cloud. Usually the stars in them are about the same age.
One of these clusters is the M67.. It is considered the oldest open star cluster of its kind. Scientists estimate its age from 3 to 5 billion years.
The M67 star cluster includes more than 500 objects, 100 of which are similar to our Sun, and some are classified as red giants.
It also contains 30 blue stars that are “behind” the total age of the stars. This diversity helps researchers understand stellar evolution.
6. Altarf is the brightest star
Altarf is Beta Cancer. She is a double star, an orange giant and his companion. The Beta constellation is located at a distance of about 290 light years from Earth.
The name comes from the Arabic language. It was formed from the words “at-tarf,” which means “eye,” or “at-tarf,” which translates as “Leo's gaze". She is the brightest of the entire constellation.
5. The main stars of Cancer
The remaining main stars of the constellation are: Akubens (Alpha), Azellus Astralis (Delta) and Azellus Borealis (Gamma). The name of Alpha is “Akubens”, when translated from Arabic means "claw". This is a white star.
But Delta and Gamma have the names Donkeys. There is one interesting legend that the god Dionysos placed them there (he is the god of wine), because these animals were sacred to him. Near them is a nebula called a Nursery.
It is believed that it was the god Dionysus who decided to take care of the animals and lay hay with them. For this reason, until 430 AD, the constellation had the name "Donkey manger».
4. Exoplanets revolve around the star Copernicus
The constellation Cancer also includes the sun-like star Copernicus. Its second name is "55 Cancer." Around it revolve 5 planets, which are exoplanets. This is the name of any non-solar planet, that is, one that is outside the solar system.
55 Cancer e, b, c, f, d, or Janssen, Galileo, Brahe, Harriot, and Liperhey are their names. Each exoplanet has its own properties and characteristics.
For example, 55 Cancer f or Harriot is a water giant. And Janssen is also called super-earth. In 2003, a message from earthlings to other civilizations was sent to these planets.
3. The ancient Egyptians represented the constellation as a scarab
The scarab beetle is one of the most revered symbols in Egypt. They had their own a variant of the image of this constellation, because the scarab was clearly closer to them than cancer. So in them he looked more like a bug than a crab.
According to other sources, the Egyptians also believed that this constellation symbolizes death and destruction. So it is strong, powerful and requires some respect.
2. In astrology, Cancer is a purely female symbol.
First, it is worth noting that the symbol of Cancer is associated with the zodiac. Zodiac signs are named after the constellations corresponding to them a long time ago.
Cancer is a symbol of the water element. Because of this, the sign is feminine in nature. In many sources of information, a beautiful girl is drawn on the back of Cancer, sitting or lying on top.
It so happened that Cancer is associated with the female sex.
This sign is also characterized by activity at night, inconstancy, emotionality and sensuality.
1. The constellation enters the zodiac circle
The constellation Cancer is included in the so-called "animal circle". People who were born from June 22 to July 22 can consider themselves born under this zodiac sign.
Such people are most often mysterious and full of contradictions, since they are ruled by a mysterious moon. For example, they are very gentle and caring with those who are important to them, but can also be cruel, bring to a nervous breakdown. They often change their mood.
They live only in the present moment, because they react to everything that happens in this world. Even if the life around Cancer freezes, he will not be bored, because he is in the maelstrom of his feelings and emotions.
The opinion of others is important to them, although they will never show it. They will be insensitive and even cold in an unfamiliar society, hiding their tender soul behind this. After all, after all, the Moon is the patroness of feelings and love.
In love, Cancers are extremely serious. They value this feeling, much in their life is subordinate to it. Although, along with love, material well-being is extremely important to them. They have a need for secured rear services. Only having behind them some reserve, a “pillow”, they can relax and live peacefully.
Living next to them is not easy, it is impossible to predict their changing nature. But they have so much charm hidden in them, and quickly changing emotions are so attractive that it’s easy to attach to them with soul, succumbing to their magic.