The Dog Star has a reputation for being associated with the hottest days of summer and, to the ancients, that meant either happiness or fear.
In ancient Egypt, the appearance of Sirius above the eastern horizon just before dawn occurred around the time of the summer solstice. It was an occasion of great joy because its return meant the Nile was about to flood, bringing water and rich soil to the desert along its banks. It marked the beginning of their new calendar year.
Sirius had a more fearful reputation in Europe. Hot, dry weather was blamed on the Dog Star. Its appearance was thought to signal fevers and madness in people and dogs. The period was, and still is, called Dog Days in the west.
Today, Sirius is just a star, not a sign of wonder. About twice the size of our sun, it is 23 times as bright. It is the fifth-closest star to the Earth.
As fall turns to winter, notice how its position changes. As it rises earlier each night, the Dog Star leads us into the holiday season. It rises about 9:30 p.m., EST on Thanksgiving. By Christmas Eve, it appears in the east about 7:30 p.m.
