The state centennial astronomical symbol is the Beehive Cluster (also known as Messier 44, M44, NGC 2632, Cr 189, or Praesepe) located in the constellation of Cancer (Utah Code). The bill was sponsored by Representative Marda Dillree (R-Farmington). It was signed into law by Governor Mike Leavitt.

The Salt Lake Tribune in their January 22, 1996 article, stated that lawmakers passed H.B. 140 which designated a dim group of stars known as the Beehive Cluster as Utah’s state astronomical symbol. A fact sheet about the bill, Looking Around: Utah’s Centennial Stars, gave the following reasoning for this designation. “This symbol, composed of a hive of stars, transposes our beehive symbol to a new and grand level as we enter our second century as a group of people living in a place where we can still see, with our own eyes, the beautiful and dim features of the starry universe”.

M44 is located in the middle of the constellation Cancer, the Crab. It is one of the most prominent clusters, visible to the naked eye. Binoculars and telescopes will reveal hundreds of stars.

Dubhe is the official state centennial star.