Explainer: The Origin of the 'Dog Days of Summer'

The "dog days of summer," a phrase commonly used to describe the hottest and most sultry period of the season, has an ancient origin tied to celestial observations. This time of year, typically spanning late July through late August, is characterized by oppressive heat and humidity.

The name originates from the ancient Greeks and Romans, who associated this period with the rising and setting of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog, earning it the nickname "the dog star."

Ancient cultures believed that Sirius, when rising and setting with the sun, contributed to the extreme heat experienced during these summer months. They thought the star's proximity to the sun amplified the sun's power, making the period particularly unbearable.

While modern science understands that the Earth's axial tilt and its orbit around the sun are responsible for the seasons and the summer heat, the evocative name "dog days" has persisted. It continues to capture the feeling of languid, sweltering summer days.