Before you can find the other constellations to be discussed

Before you can find the other constellations to be discussed, you must first locate the constellation Leo using the method described under the heading The Big Dipper: Your Key To The Sky. Having found Leo, turn your gaze toward Procyon in Canis Minor - one of the bright stars of The Winter Hexagon. Now look at the place half way between the sickle shaped head of Leo and Procyon. This area contains the fourth magnitude and fainter stars of Cancer, The Crab. Figure 18 reveals the general shape of this constellation. One further note, if you are at a very dark site and your eyes have had sufficient time to adapt, you may see what appears to be a smudge of light near the center of Cancer. That smudge is not a star, deep sky object alluded to earlier. It is known as the Praesepe or Bee Hive. Probably the most beautiful object of its type, a look through binoculars reveals what appears to be a swarm of jewel-like stars (hence the name).

Consulting Figure 18, look below Cancer and pick out the stars in the head and neck of Hydra, The Sea Serpent. Having done that, go back to Leo and look above the lion’s head to find the triangle of fifth magnitude stars of Leo Minor, The Lesser Lion. To the right of Leo Minor and above Cancer are the faint stars of the constellation Lynx. Unless you are at an extremely dark site, you may have trouble picking out the four sixth magnitude stars of Sextans, The Sextant just below Leo’s head. Aren’t you glad I saved the tougher ones for last?