The expression “creates the day of the dog” has nothing to do with pets, but with the stars

Make a dog day! Who has never said this phrase in the summer? Well, in fact, today it is widespread and is used for many aspects and season. OK for rain and heat, as in one of those days when everything goes wrong. However, in the past, it was an expression that mentioned The hottest days of the year: The vacation matrixField With this name it was necessary to say that it was the Romans who thus baptized the hottest days of the year. From the summer solstice. Therefore, the origin of the expression “creates the day of dogs” is none other than the astronomy of the Romans. Indeed, it has nothing to do with pets.

Key in Syrian starThis era with the field remains the brightest star in the sky, because it was very important for the Romans that They used it for orientation. Unfortunately, a long period of the hidden year has passed. But then he again appeared on the horizon, a little before the sun. Today this happens in the middle of the auto, but then coincided with Summer solstice. They started in summer days and warmth with them.

The Romans believed that, being so close to the sun at that time, Sirius gave an additional contribution of energy to the star kingThe field is therefore, according to them, it was so hot. This, as we understand with today’s scientific knowledge, is not so, but for them it is done enough. Therefore, this origin of the expression “does the day of dogs.” But, no matter how one, where do the dogs come from?

The origin of the expression “creates the day of the dog” in astronomy

Sirio is the main star of the constellation Canis Major (Elder dog). Therefore, in fact, he was known as “Dog star.”

What happened in the solstice was an astronomical phenomenon, known as Helic orthoThis happens when the star appears on the horizon for the first time after the period of invisibility. Syrian remains hidden for about 10 weeks. At that time, he is hidden under the horizon at night. Therefore, the Romans had to look for other ways of orientation. His return was a moment of joy, but also a period, quite upset by high temperatures.

It should be logically noted that the date of Heliac Ortho It also depends on the latitude in which observers. All the dates that we have yet given, correspond to the breadth of Rome around 1 year of general era. In Spain, according to the article for Talk Astrophysicist of the University of Cordoba David Galadi, This is comparable to the breadth of Soria, where there was a namsia. Another Spanish city, which is almost the same latitude as Rome – Barcelona. All in 41.

It was a short look

During Heliac Ortho, the Syrian appeared very briefly. This was noticed just at the end of the night, very shortly before the sun rose on the horizon. Then clarity prevented him from seeing him. Despite this, over the next weeks every day began to see a little before and higher. During the first period when only the Romans were seen, they believed that This was enough to load the sun More heat when they crossed the horizon.

In short, the expression “makes the day of the dog, which occurs in the error. But, since the mistake gave rise to a curious story, which, in turn, offers us an ideal excuse to talk a little about heaven, we forgive the Romans.