As night descends, shift your gaze eastward to discover Sirius, the sky’s brightest beacon. This dazzling star, visible across the globe, has long served as a celestial guide for mariners.
Most people, at least once, have looked up at night and marveled at the bright star in the eastern sky. Legend says it guided the three wise men to Bethlehem because of its visibility.
Sirius shines brightly in the night sky throughout most of the year, but it’s most visible in winter. Its blue-white hue and exceptional brightness make it stand out from other stars. In fact, Sirius can appear up to twice as bright as nearby stars.
How to Find Sirius?
Sirius stands out in the night sky with some preparation. Look east and find the Orion constellation’s three-star belt. This belt points directly to Sirius, the bright star slightly left and level with Orion’s belt.
Interesting Facts about The Sirius Star
Here are a few facts about this incredible star in the east:
1. Sirius, located 8.6 light-years from our solar system, is among the nearest stars.
2. It is part of a binary star system, meaning it has a companion star known as Sirius B.
3. The star’s name comes from the Greek word “Seirios”, meaning “glowing” or “scorching.”
4. Experts believe it to be around 25 times brighter than our Sun!
5. Sirius, often called “The Dog Star”, is the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation, which means “greater dog” in Latin.
6. Sirius is 242 million years old. Though that sounds like a lot, it’s very young compared to other stars.