Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. It is able to cast shadows and can even be visible during daylight. So it is hardly surprising that it has been an object of great human fascination over the millennia, and that it has accrued an extensive terrestrial history in the writings and art of many civilisations and peoples including Egypt and the ancient Middle East, Greece, Rome, Africa, Arabia, India, China, Judah, the Americas and Australia. It also has an important history in modern science and still retains some teasing mysteries.