Encyclopedia >  Science and Technology  >  Astronomy and Space Exploration  >  Astronomy: General

Praesepe

Praesepe (prēsēˈpē) [key] [Lat., = manger], open star cluster in the constellation Cancer; cataloged as M44 or NGC 2632. It was first recorded by Hipparchus (c.150 B.C.). The cluster is often called the Beehive because of its shape. It contains several hundred stars, many of which are doubles. It is faintly visible to the naked eye and an excellent object for a low-power telescope.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

More on Praesepe from Fact Monster:

  • Beehive - Beehive Beehive (star cluster): see Praesepe.
  • Cancer, in astronomy - Cancer Cancer [Lat.,=the crab], in astronomy, constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's ...
  • star cluster - star cluster star cluster, a group of stars near each other in space and resembling each other in ...
  • Encyclopedia: Astronomy: General - Encyclopeadia articles concerning Astronomy: General.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Astronomy: General