CULTURE WATCH : Star Light, Star Bright

These are the “dog days” of summer. Hot, still, lazy days in which the summer sun seems especially intense. Of course, nowadays, we attribute the heat to the fact that our hemisphere at this time of year receives more direct rays from the sun.

In ancient times, though, the dog days were associated with a star called Sirius in the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. Paradoxically, this star is primarily known for its appearance in the winter sky. In fact, we typically see it highest in the south mid-February evenings.

Sirius comes from the Greek seir, to shine, but is often translated to mean sparkling or scorching. The Egyptians venerated Sirius because its appearance in the east in the morning sky preceded the rising of the Nile River each year.

Predicting this event was vitally important so the people living along the Nile’s banks could store food, protect supplies, and evacuate flooded areas. The star’s appearance served as a warning, just as a barking dog warns his master of danger.

Thus, Sirius came to be considered a watchdog. Its hieroglyph, a dog, often appears on temple walls throughout the Nile country.

Knowing how intensely bright Sirius is, the Greeks came to associate the usually hot days of summer with this star. During ancient times, Sirius was overhead in the summer, and its rays were thought to mingle with the sun’s, compounding the heat.