Cancer is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for crab and it is commonly represented as such. Its symbol is 
(Unicode ♋). Cancer is small and its stars are faint. It lies between Gemini to the west and Leo to the east, Lynx to the north and Canis Minor and Hydra to the south.
(Unicode ♋). Cancer is small and its stars are faint. It lies between Gemini to the west and Leo to the east, Lynx to the north and Canis Minor and Hydra to the south. Cancer is said to have been the place for the Akkadian Sun of the South, perhaps from its position at the summer solstice in very remote antiquity. But afterwards it was associated with the fourth month Duzu (June–July in the modern western calendar), and was known as the Northern Gate of Sun.
| Constellation | |
 List of stars in Cancer | |
| Abbreviation | Cnc |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Cancri |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkænsər/, genitive /ˈkæŋkraɪ/ |
| Symbolism | the Crab |
| Right ascension | 9 h |
| Declination | +20° |
| Quadrant | NQ2 |
| Area | 506 sq. deg. (31st) |
| Main stars | 5 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 76 |
| Stars with planets | 2 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 0 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 2 |
| Brightest star | β Cnc (Altarf) (3.53m) |
| Nearest star | DX Cnc (11.84 ly, 3.63 pc) |
| Messier objects | 2 |
| Meteor showers | Delta Cancrids |
| Bordering constellations | Lynx Gemini Canis Minor Hydra Leo Leo Minor (corner) |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −60°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of March. | |
