What is a Sundog, and How Did "Sundogs" Get Their Name?
Jul 25, 2006 · A Sun halo, a circle of light that creates a circle 22° wide around the Sun, is a related phenomenon. As with sundogs, hexagonal ice crystals suspended in cirrostratus …
Meet Sirius, the Brightest Star - Sky & Telescope
Mar 27, 2018 · Meet the brightest star near Earth: Sirius. Find the "Dog Star" in late winter evenings or in the east pre-dawn hours during the "dog days of summer." There's more to this …
What is the brightest star in the sky? - Sky & Telescope
Jul 15, 2014 · The brightest star in the sky is Sirius, also known as the “Dog Star” or, more officially, Alpha Canis Majoris, for its position in the constellation Canis Major. Sirius is a binary …
Sirius B — A New Pup in My Life - Sky & Telescope
Mar 29, 2017 · A few years back in 2008, the Pup and Dog Star were considerably closer. This image illustrates how diffraction spikes can sometimes get in the way of the star and make it …
A Real Scorcher! — Sirius At Heliacal Rising - Sky & Telescope
Aug 10, 2016 · Heat, humidity, the searing Sun. Must be the Dog Days of summer. This hottest time of year runs from mid-July to mid-August in the northern hemisphere. Despite the image …
Two Stars Swept by the Solar System 4.5 Million Years Ago
Dec 11, 2025 · Two winter stars left their mark long ago on wispy gas clouds near the solar system. Their passage might even have influenced life on Earth.
Meet Procyon, Orion’s Littler Dog - Sky & Telescope
Mar 23, 2022 · Meet Procyon, the brightest of the few stars in Canis Minor, the Lesser Dog. A main-sequence star, Procyon is on its way to becoming a giant.
Binocular Tour of Canis Major, the Big Dog - Sky & Telescope
Mar 19, 2020 · Also known as the Dog Star, Sirius is the night sky’s brightest sun. Obviously, you don’t need binoculars to appreciate such a conspicuous object, but there’s definitely …
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 21 – March 2
Feb 21, 2025 · Now March pushes him westward and spotlights his dog, Canis Major with Sirius on his chest, standing center stage on the meridian. Sirius is not only the brightest star in our …
Swing Low, Sweet Sun: It's Solstice Time - Sky & Telescope
Dec 19, 2016 · The Sun swings low across the southern sky at the start of winter, casting long shadows and abbreviating daylight. On the plus side, ice halos, and sundogs are more …