Dog days of summer — gone!

I missed them. Even though they haven’t felt much like them, the dog days of summer have come and gone. And I missed them.

I always thought that they were called “dog days” because they were just lazy days or maybe too hot to do much other than laze around…but not so, I learned.

The dog days of summer (opens in a new window) are when the two well known stars, the Sun and Sirius (the Dog Star), are both at their brightest. Ancient people thought that it must add to the heat (and even create other things like plagues).

The dog days are called the dog days because of a star!

Even though they’re harder to see from in and around cities, stargazing is a fine thing to do as the days get shorter. And H.A. Rey’s The Stars: A New Way to See Them (opens in a new window)(Houghton) is a good place for new (and even experienced) stargazers to begin.

Not only was Rey the creator of the Curious George books (opens in a new window) but he studied natural science. Rey’s imagination combines with science for a memorable way to see the stars — even the Dog Star.

Young stargazers and George fans may want to visit the Rey home called the Curious George Cottage. (opens in a new window) Like The Stars, it combines whimsy and knowledge as an educational and recreational center in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.

So, look up — and say goodbye to the dog days!