Constellation · Cancer · Cnc
Cancer constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
equatorialzodiacbest in march
In short
Cancer (Cnc) is a equatorial constellation covering 506 square degrees, number 31 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Tarf, a orange giant, magnitude 3.5. It is best seen in the evening in March. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Leo, Lynx.
Area: 506 square degrees, 31 of 88 · Neighbours: Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Leo, Lynx · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Cancer
- 1
When to look
The best time is in March in the evening: in the south, around 21:02.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Leo.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Tarf (3.5ᵐ), Asellus Australis (3.9ᵐ), Yuyu (4.0ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — february | in the south, around 00:56 | around midnight |
| March | in the south, around 21:02 | in the evening |
| April | in the southwest, around 21:16 | in the evening |
| May | in the west, around 22:24 | in the evening |
| June — august | — | not visible, behind the Sun |
| September | in the east, around 05:13 | before dawn |
| October | in the southeast, around 06:04 | before dawn |
| November — december | in the south, around 04:58 | before dawn |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Tarf · β Cnc | orange giant | 3.5ᵐ |
| Asellus Australis · δ Cnc | orange giant | 3.9ᵐ |
| Yuyu · ι Cnc | yellow giant | 4.0ᵐ |
| Acubens · α Cnc | white star | 4.3ᵐ |
| Asellus Borealis · γ Cnc | white subgiant | 4.7ᵐ |
| χ Cnc | yellow-white main-sequence star | 5.1ᵐ |
Cancer FAQ
When is the best time to see Cancer?
Cancer is best seen in the evening in March. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season.
Where is Cancer in the sky?
Cancer is a equatorial constellation. Its neighbours: Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Leo, Lynx.
What is the brightest star in Cancer?
Tarf — a orange giant, magnitude 3.5.
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0