At this time of year here at latitude 30 N (Giza) is when the heliacal risings of Orion and Sirius take place.

Orion has already begun to rise heliacally, and Sirius will rise heliacally on the 6th August, although it probably won't be visible from the Cairo region till 10th August due to light and air pollution.

I cycle at dawn from my home to the open desert beyond Nazlat al Salman (Sphinx village) to get a clear view. The weather is warm even then, and a hot mint tea with friends (the local hustlers) to cool down is always welcome. It's big tourist season for the Saudi and Gulf Arabs who come at dawn to horse-ride at the Pyramids, so the mood is pretty lively in the small village by the Sphinx.




Photo taken this morning: Robert Bauval with 'Satis' the red bike. (Satis is the goddess who ptotects the Flood at the First Cataract at elephantine). Her temple is aligned to the heliacal rising of Sirius...