Dog Days, Full Moon & a Meteor Shower
No need for a telescope! Here are a couple fun astronomical tidbits to enjoy this month.
The Dog Days of Summer
On July 3, the Dog Days of Summer begin! Lasting 40 days and ending on August 11, the Dog Days are traditionally said to be some of the hottest days of the summer season. Wondering why they are called the “Dog Days?” The Dog Days mark the reappearance of Sirius, the Dog Star, which is the brightest star in the sky.
To locate Sirius, first look for the three stars of Orion’s Belt. Trace a line downward through Orion’s Belt and look for the brightest star you can see—that’s Sirius!
The Full Buck Moon
July’s full Moon, which is traditionally called the Buck Moon, will appear on the night of Monday, July 3! Read more about the Buck Moon.
Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower
To finish the month of July, look for the Delta Aquarid meteor shower, which happens every year at the end of July. This year, we recommend looking for the meteors in the hours before dawn on 29 and 30. They may be a bit hard to see this year, because the moon will be almost full—so look to the darkest part of the sky.
The Delta Aquarids are not a particularly active meteor shower, but if you watch with an attentive eye, you might catch one zipping by! Plus, they are really just a warm-up for the best meteor shower of the year, the Perseids, which peak around August 11!