Have you ever wondered why we refer to August as “The Dog Days of Summer”? August is here.
Caesar Augustus, Julius Caesar’s adopted son, gave the month its name. We have always referred to this time of year as the “dog days of summer” and associated the month with heat and humidity.
There is some history involved, as one might expect, so why the dog days and not another animal? The concept dates back to Greek and Roman times. Originally, the days ran from July 24th through August 24th. It was believed that during this period, the sea would boil, the wine would spoil, and the dogs would go crazy. Disease would also be on the rise. The King James Bible states that this time period began on July 6 and ended on September 5; however, the actual dates have changed somewhat over the centuries.
It turns out that the “canine connection” refers to Sirius, also known as the “Dog Star,” which is located in the constellation Canis Major. At least 700 BC’s worth of Greek poetry mentions it. At that time, it was observed that Sirius, the brightest star in the northern hemisphere, rose just before or simultaneously with the sun. The issue here is that a minor occurrence known as precession has occurred. The Earth appears to be slightly tilted rather than exactly upright as it revolves around the sun (23). 5 degrees from absolute vertical). Our moon and the sun both exert gravitational pull in an effort to correct our tilt because they don’t like it. The outcome is a periodic wobble that occurs roughly every 26,000 years and alters how we perceive the nearby stars and constellations.
Therefore, Sirius (the Dog Star) is no longer visible at or just before sunrise. Perhaps the “Swan days of summer” wouldn’t have existed if Deneb in Cygnus had been the star that the ancients had observed.
Actually, a good metaphor for heat and humidity is the dog. The dog, who is one of our friends, does not have a lot of sweat glands. When it does have them, they frequently have thick coats of fur, which hinders their ability to regulate their body temperatures. The pads of old Fido’s paws contain the most efficient sweat glands, but even they are only so effective. The very obvious panting we see in our pets serves as the primary mechanism for canines to regulate their body temperatures.
Please keep this in mind on hot and humid days. If you chain Fido outside, make sure he or she has access to shade and plenty of water. Please do not leave your canine companion in the car while you stop at the store because the temperature inside the vehicle can rise very quickly.
Keep Your Television Screens Dust-Free Longer Use a clean dryer sheet to dust your TV screen. The fabric softener in the sheet reduces static, and static causes dust to accumulate. Simply wipe the screen gently with the dryer sheet to not only clear away existing dust but to repel it.
What and When Are the Dog Days of Summer? Body
From July 3 to August 11, the summer season is known as “Dog Days.” You might be surprised to learn that the origins of this idiom, “the dog days of summer,” have nothing to do with dogs. Enjoy this article about the significance of the summer’s “Dog Days”!
The last half of July is typically when Minnesota’s average high temperatures reach their climatological peak. Between July 8 and July 23, the Twin Cities’ daily average high temperature reaches a peak of 84 degrees.
NASA has a good explainer on why the term dog days centered on the ancient belief that summer’s bright ‘dog star’ Sirius added heat to the earth during summer.
So remember the dog star the next time you hear the phrase “dog days of summer” And the fact that for the next four weeks or so, we’ll be climatologically in the hottest part of summer.
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The term “dog days of summer” is frequently used to describe the period from July 3 to August 11. According to climatology, this time represents the hottest part of summer in the northern hemisphere.
FAQ
Why do they call the dog days of summer?
Near the end of July, when Sirius would appear in the sky just before the sun, that signaled the start of the hottest days of the year. The term “dog days” was borrowed from the Romans from “dies caniculares,” which means “days of the dog star.” “.
What does dog of a summer mean?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer months of July and August are known as “Dog Days” because of their particularly hot and humid weather.
What days are considered dog days?
The term “Dog Days” conjures up the sweltering, muggiest summer days. The 40 days between July 3 and August 11 traditionally known as the Dog Days coincide with the heliacal rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, at sunrise, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What are the dog days of summer 2022?
The “dog days” references Sirius, the Dog Star. The Sun and Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, are in the same region of the sky during the “dog days,” which last from July 3 to August 11 every year.