The brightest star in the sky is often considered to be Sirius, located in the constellation Canis Major. It is approximately 8.6 light-years away from Earth and is about twice as massive as our Sun. Sirius is known for its bright, white light and is sometimes referred to as the "Dog Star" because of its prominence in the night sky during the summer months. Sirius is actually a binary star system, consisting of Sirius A and Sirius B. Sirius A is the brighter of the two, while Sirius B is a faint white dwarf. Together, they have been significant in various cultures, often associated with myths and legends throughout history.