Sothis, also known as the Sirius star, is the brightest star in the night sky and is part of the Canis Major constellation. It is located approximately 8.6 light-years from Earth and is a binary star system, consisting of a main sequence star and a faint white dwarf companion. Sothis has been significant in various cultures, particularly in ancient Egypt, where it was associated with the goddess Isis and marked the start of the annual flooding of the Nile. The star is notable for its blue-white hue and is about 25 times more luminous than the Sun. Sothis has a surface temperature of around 9,940 Kelvin, making it much hotter than our solar star. Its brightness and proximity have made it a key reference point for navigation and timekeeping throughout history.