The bright star is part of the constellation Canis Major, which means “big dog” in Latin. The ancient Greeks took Sirius’ presence a little more, well, literally. They called Sirius the “Star of Isis” or the “Nile Star” because its helical rising came at the time of the river’s annual summer flooding, which brought bountiful crops. Appearing just before dawn, the star was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians as the fertility goddess Sopdet. ![]() Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, came into position each year at the beginning of the hottest months in the Northern Hemisphere. ![]() ![]() In the ancient world, people followed the stars much like we mark the days of a calendar. ![]() The Celestial Origins of the “Dog Days” Credit: Allexxandar/ Shutterstock
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |