Praesepe
Praesepe, (catalog numbers NGC 2632 and M 44), open, or galactic, cluster of about 1,000 stars in the zodiacal constellation Cancer and located about 550 light-years from Earth. Visible to the unaided eye as a small patch of bright haze, it was first distinguished as a group of stars by Galileo. It was included by Hipparchus in the earliest known star catalog, c. 129 bc.
The name Praesepe (Latin: “Cradle,” or “Manger”) was used even before Hipparchus’ time. The name Beehive is of uncertain but more recent origin.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Praesepe
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
25 July 2024
Access Date:
November 14, 2026