The crab can be seen in the northern part of the sky. Surrounded by Canis Minor (little dog), Lynx (lynx), Leo (lion), Leo Minor (little lion), Hydra (water snake), Cancer is home.

The star constellation was seen as a turtle in Ancient Egypt and the Babylonians. The ancient Greeks were the first to give the group the symbolism of cancer.

But there were always different interpretations of the picture. Among other things, as water beetles, lobsters or crayfish.

Al Tarf, also known as Beta Cancri, is the brightest star in the constellation of Cancer. The name of the double star is derived from the Arbaian 'altarf', which means 'the eye'.