AKA Sirius, the brightest star in the sky

Canis Major has always been a kind of special constellation for me, along with other favourites like Lyra, Cygnus, Orion and Boötes. It was amongst the first constellations I identified. Sirius (alpha [a] canis majoris) is the brightest star in the sky at magnitude -1.4, which makes is quite easy to identify, even in bright city skies. Canis Major is located east of Orion, and if you follow Orion's three belt stars down you will find Sirius.

Photo © by Akira Fujii

Traditinally, Sirius was pronounced with a long i, and was sometimes spelt "Syrius".

Historically, many cultures have attached special significance to Sirius. Sirius was worshipped as Sothis in the valley of the Nile long before Rome was founded. The Middle Kingdom of Egyptians based their calendar on the heliacal rising of Sirius, which occurred just before the annual flooding of the Nile and the summer solstice. In Greek mythology, Orion’s dog became Sirius. The Greeks also associated Sirius with the heat of summer: they called it Σείριος Seirios, often translated "the scorcher." The dog days of summer were also connected to Sirius.

And you'll understand the significance of this just as soon as I've finished part 2 of Lana's story. I don't know when that will be.