Dog Days?

Have you ever heard the term "dog days"? I have heard this all of my life and never really understood it, until now.

Websters, defines dog days as:

1. The period between early July and early September when the hot and sultry weather of summer usually occurs.
2. a period of stagnation or inactivity

Both of these are a very accurate description of this time period, but "dog days"? So, this is what I discoverd and wanted to share with you!

In ancient times different people in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by connecting the stars. One constellation put together in late summer, in the northern hemisphere was called Sirius or the "dog star". In late July Sirius rises and sets in conjunction with the Sun.

It is even so bright during this time the Romans believed it added to our heat. SO... they named this sultry period of 20 days before this conjunction and 20 days after, the "dog days" after the dog star.

Today, dog days occur between July 3rd and August 11th. However, our sultry heat is not caused by added heat from the dog star, but by the earth's tilt. Now don't you feel better that you know why people refer to this time as the "dog days"?

So, everyone stay cool, drink some good ole' iced tea, turn off the lights and turn up the air and watch out for the dog!