The Dogs
Canis Major & Canis Minor
June 28 - July 7 & July 18 - 25
Following at the heels of the handsome hunter, Orion, which is the largest and brightest constellation, is Sirius, the Dog Star in Canis Major. Not far behind, but higher up, comes Procyon, the bright star of the Little Dog, Canis Minor, pursuing them across the northern Winter sky. Sirius is the brightest star in the heavens, and can be easily located by drawing an imaginary line onwards from the three stars of Orion's belt. Sirius, which means 'sparkling' and 'scorching' was once thought to cause the heat of Summer - the 'Dog Days", which run from July 3 to August 11.
