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As a child, my mother taught me how to spot Orion and the Big Dipper in the night sky. As an adult, those are still the only two constellations I can find on my own. If you’re in a similar position but want to expand your constellation repertoire, you have a better chance of doing so for the rest of September, during which time you can use Orion’s belt as a way to locate Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and part of the Canis Major constellation. Here’s how to find it.
Use Orion to find Sirius and Canis Major
First things first: Find Orion. One of the most distinctive features of the constellation is the short, straight row of relatively bright stars that comprise the hunter’s belt. If directions will be a help, it’s in the south to southeastern part of the sky.
Here’s what to do next, according to Deborah Byrd at EarthSky:
Just draw a line through Orion’s Belt and extend that line toward the horizon. You’ll easily spot Sirius, the sky’s brightest star.
Sirius is in the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. It’s often called the Dog Star.
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She goes on to explain that although Venus and Jupiter are both brighter than Sirius, “you simply can’t mistake either planet for Sirius in the September morning sky.” That’s because Venus is not currently visible, thanks to the sun’s glare, and Jupiter sets before Sirius rises.
Your best shot at spotting Sirius using this method will come in the predawn morning sky throughout the rest of September. In the coming months, Sirius will make its appearance in the evening sky instead. For now, using Orion’s belt is a simple way to find Sirius and, in turn, the Canis Major constellation.
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