We’ve all heard the phrase the “Dog Days of Summer.” But have you stopped to think about where this phrase to describe the hot weather began? Well as your trusted Dog Ufologist, I can assure you the answer is in the stars.

Second only to the Sun, Sirius is the brightest star visible from Earth, and in the summer, they rise and set together. The Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians believed this bright star added to the summer heat, which is why the name Sirius comes from the Ancient Greek word, “seírios,” for scorcher.

Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, which means the Greater Dog. In fact, its official name is Alpha Canis Majoris, but it is also more commonly known as the Dog Star. Ancient Romans referred to these weeks of hot weather as diēs caniculārēs, or “dog days.” Hence how we get the phrase the Dog Days of Summer!

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the Dog Days of Summer last 20 days before and 20 days after the alignment of Sirius with the Sun on the Summer Equinox. Therefore the Dog Days of Summer are approximately July 3rd to August 11th. In ancient times, the Dog Days were believed to be a time of bad luck and unrest. Today humans know this uncomfortable hot weather has nothing to do with Sirius, or even dogs, but the name has stuck.