from Astronomy section of Old Farmer's Almanac online (www.almanac.com) -
WHEN ARE THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER?
The exact dates of the Dog Days can vary from source to source, and because they are traditionally tied to the dawn rising of Sirius, they have changed over time. However, most sources agree that the Dog Days occur in mid- to late summer.
Here at the Old Farmer’s Almanac, we consider the Dog Days to be the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This is soon after the Summer Solstice in late June, which of course also indicates that the worst summer heat will soon set in.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SIRIUS
The Brightest Star in the Sky
Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, if you don’t count our own Sun. Under the right conditions, it can even be seen with the naked eye during the day. Sirius is one star in a group of stars that form the constellation Canis Major, meaning “Greater Dog.” It’s no surprise, then, that the nickname of this big, bold star became “the Dog Star.”
Given that Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, it’s not hard to find.
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