Alpha Canis Majoris is better known as Sirius, which some authorities believe to be a distortion of a Greek word meaning "scorching". It is the brightest star in the heavens at -1.44 visual magnitude. The star is 8.6 light years away.

The star is due south in early January: binoculars.

To the west of Sirius is beta Canis Majoris, called "Murzim" or 'The Announcer' which -- as you may imagine -- tells the world that Sirius is coming just behind.