CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — The phrase “the dog days of summer” is one you may have heard to describe hot and humid summer days, but where exactly does the term come from, and what does it mean?
“Dog days of summer”actually relates to astronomy. The idea dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times, when people relied heavily on constellations for information. The brightest star in the sky after the Sun is Sirius, which translates to glowing or scorching in Latin and is commonly referred to as “the dog star”. It’s part of the constellation Canis Major, which translates to “Greater Dog,” one of Orion’s hunting companions.
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During the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the sun. Around July 23rd, it is in conjunction with the Sun, meaning it appears directly behind it from our perspective on Earth. In ancient times, people believed that this alignment with the sun and Sirius added extra heat to the Earth, marking a stretch of particularly hot and humid days.
This period, called “the dog days of summer,” spans from July 3rd to August 11th.
In reality, summer heat is caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which directs more sunlight toward the northern hemisphere.
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