Want to entertain your folks on New Year’s Eve? Give them a fast tour of the heavens, and present them Sirius, the brightest star within the sky. It has the nickname the Dog Star, as a result of it’s a part of the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. Sirius may also be known as the New Year’s star. It’ll ring in 2022 by reaching its highest level within the sky across the stroke of midnight. That’s true for each New Year’s Eve.
How to search out the star Sirius
How can you discover Sirius? Well, for starters, it’s the brightest star in Earth’s evening sky. Its identify means glowing or scorching.
The solely factors of sunshine that may shine brighter than Sirius are a few of the planets. If you’re scanning the darkish sky and aren’t positive which level of sunshine is Sirius, right here’s a sure-fire strategy to know. Look for the distinguished Belt stars of the constellation Orion. Orion’s Belt at all times factors to Sirius.
Sirius is up late for the occasion
So Sirius is highest within the sky at midnight each New Year’s. Astronomers name this a midnight end result of Sirius. As the New Year rings in, Sirius is at its highest.
By midnight, by the best way, we imply the nighttime, that’s, halfway between sundown and dawn. Like the sun, the celebs rise within the east and journey westward throughout the sky. When the sun or any star is within the japanese half of the sky, it’s climbing upward. When the sun or any star is within the western sky, it’s descending downward. Midway between rising and setting, the sun or any star reaches its highest level within the sky.
Because the celebs rise and set two hours earlier with every passing month, Sirius will probably be highest up for the evening round 10 p.m. native time on February 1.
Bottom line: Look for the star Sirius at midnight end result – highest within the sky round midnight, or halfway between sundown and dawn – each New Year’s Eve.
