Dog Days of Summer Quiz

Wrong. Since the Gregorian Calendar reform in 1582, the summer solstice has never fallen on June 19. But if you hang in there long enough, your answer will be correct! Summer will start on June 19 in the year 2488.

You're almost right. The summer solstice doesn't always occur on June 21. In 1896, summer began on June 20. It won't begin on that same date again until 2012.

Sorry, wrong answer. In 1975, summer started on June 22 but it won't happen again until the year 2203.

Right! The summer solstice does not always occur on June 21. In 1896, summer began on June 20 and won't happen on that date again until 2012. In 1975, it began on June 22, and this will be repeated in 2203. Since the Gregorian Calendar reform in 1582, the summer solstice has never fallen on the 19th.

You may feel like a dog, but that's not where this phrase comes from. Ancient astronomers in Mediterranean countries came up with the phrase "dog days" for the hottest period of the summer, from about July 4 to August 11.

The astronomers defined the dog days as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and our sun. This conjunction happened to coincide with the worst days of summer, when folks were especially plagued by disease and discomfort.

The heat may make you feel like growling, but you're barking up the wrong tree! Ancient astronomers in Mediterranean countries came up with the phrase "dog days" for the hottest period of the summer, from about July 4 to August 11.

The astronomers defined the dog days as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and our sun. This conjunction happened to coincide with the worst days of summer, when folks were especially plagued by disease and discomfort.

Although this sounds plausible, it's not the right answer. Ancient astronomers in Mediterranean countries came up with the phrase "dog days" for the hottest period of the summer, from about July 4 to August 11.

The astronomers defined the dog days as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and our sun. This conjunction happened to coincide with the worst days of summer, when folks were especially plagued by disease and discomfort.

Gotcha ya! Richard Dogger is a made-up name. Ancient astronomers in Mediterranean countries came up with the phrase "dog days" for the hottest period of the summer, from about July 4 to August 11.

The astronomers defined the dog days as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and our sun. This conjunction happened to coincide with the worst days of summer, when folks were especially plagued by disease and discomfort.

Woof! You're right. Ancient astronomers in Mediterranean countries came up with the phrase "dog days" for the hottest period of the summer, from about July 4 to August 11.

The astronomers defined the dog days as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and our sun. This conjunction happened to coincide with the worst days of summer, when folks were especially plagued by disease and discomfort.

Nope, you're too cool. According the Heat Index, 100 degrees F at 60% relative humidity will warm the human body as much as heat at 136 degrees F at 0% humidity. When the heat index gets above 90, it's time to take some precautions. About 175 people die in this country every year due to excessive heat.

You're getting warm. According the heat index, 100 degrees F at 60% relative humidity will warm the human body as much as heat at 136 degrees F at 0% humidity. When the Heat Index gets above 90 then it's time to take some precautions. About 175 people die in this country every year due to excessive heat.

Right! According the heat index, 100 degrees F at 60% relative humidity will warm the human body as much as heat at 136 degrees F at 0% humidity. When the Heat Index gets above 90 then it's time to take some precautions. About 175 people die in this country every year due to excessive heat.

Close, but a little too hot. According the heat index, 100 degrees F at 60% relative humidity will warm the human body as much as heat at 136 degrees F at 0% humidity. When the Heat Index gets above 90 then it's time to take some precautions. About 175 people die in this country every year due to excessive heat

Wrong. There is no universal "official" definition. A heat wave, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The National Weather service has set no temperature or duration to define a heat wave. The American Heritage dictionary defines a heat wave as, "a period of unusually hot weather."

The Weather Channel uses the following criteria for a heat wave: "a minimum of ten states must have 90 degree plus temperatures and the temperatures must be at least five degrees above normal in parts of that area for at least two days or more."

A common practice in many parts of the country is to use the National Weather Service "heat index" (a factored combination of heat and relative humidity) of 105 degrees or more for two or more days.

Wrong. There is no universal "official" definition. A heat wave, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The National Weather service has set no temperature or duration to define a heat wave. The American Heritage dictionary defines a heat wave as, "a period of unusually hot weather."

The Weather Channel uses the following criteria for a heat wave: "a minimum of ten states must have 90 degree plus temperatures and the temperatures must be at least five degrees above normal in parts of that area for at least two days or more."

A common practice in many parts of the country is to use the National Weather Service "heat index" (a factored combination of heat and relative humidity) of 105 degrees or more for two or more days.

Close, but wrong. There is no universal "official" definition. A heat wave, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The National Weather service has set no temperature or duration to define a heat wave. The American Heritage dictionary defines a heat wave as, "a period of unusually hot weather."

The Weather Channel uses the following criteria for a heat wave: "a minimum of ten states must have 90 degree plus temperatures and the temperatures must be at least five degrees above normal in parts of that area for at least two days or more."

A common practice in many parts of the country is to use the National Weather Service "heat index" (a factored combination of heat and relative humidity) of 105 degrees or more for two or more days.

Close, but wrong. There is no universal "official" definition. A heat wave, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The National Weather service has set no temperature or duration to define a heat wave. The American Heritage dictionary defines a heat wave as, "a period of unusually hot weather."

The Weather Channel uses the following criteria for a heat wave: "a minimum of ten states must have 90 degree plus temperatures and the temperatures must be at least five degrees above normal in parts of that area for at least two days or more."

A common practice in many parts of the country is to use the National Weather Service "heat index" (a factored combination of heat and relative humidity) of 105 degrees or more for two or more days.

You're right! There is no universal "official" definition. A heat wave, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The National Weather service has set no temperature or duration to define a heat wave. The American Heritage dictionary defines a heat wave as, "a period of unusually hot weather."

The Weather Channel uses the following criteria for a heat wave: "a minimum of ten states must have 90 degree plus temperatures and the temperatures must be at least five degrees above normal in parts of that area for at least two days or more."

A common practice in many parts of the country is to use the National Weather Service "heat index" (a factored combination of heat and relative humidity) of 105 degrees or more for two or more days.