It’s one of the neatest tricks in all the heavens … Orion’s Belt points to Sirius in the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. Sirius is the brightest star in the nighttime sky. It’s up before dawn now but will be shifting into the evening sky as the months pass. Orion is found in the predawn morning sky every September.
Yes, you can find Orion. If you go outside and look south to southeast before dawn now, you’ll notice Orion’s Belt, which consists of a short, straight row of medium-bright stars. 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.
Two planets (Venus and Jupiter) shine more brilliantly than Sirius but you simply can’t mistake either planet for Sirius in the September 2019 morning sky. Venus is now lost in the sun’s glare, whereas Jupiter sets before Sirius rises. Once again, use Orion’s Belt to locate Sirius in the southeast sky.
Bottom line: In September 2019, you’ll find the constellation Orion, whose three Belt stars make a short, straight row in the southeast before dawn. Orion’s Belt points to Sirius, the brightest star of the nighttime sky.