asterism

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Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /ˈastəɹɪzəm/

Noun

asterism (plural asterisms)

1. (constellation) An unofficial constellation (small group of stars that forms a visible pattern).

   The Big Dipper, Summer Triangle, and Orion's Belt are asterisms.

   • 1825, Geo G. Carey, Astronomy, as it is known at the present day, London, p. 66 f.:

     Of the constellations, or asterisms. [...] It therefore became necessary to adopt a more general method of distinguishing them. This was accomplished by portioning out the heavens into imaginary figures, of men, birds, fishes, &c. called Constellations or Asterisms.

2. A rarely used typographical symbol (⁂, three asterisks arranged in a triangle), used to call attention to a passage or to separate subchapters in a book.
3. (mineralogy) A star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire) or by transmitted light (as in some mica).

Related terms

• aster
• asterisk
• asteroid

Translations

• French: astérisme, constellation
• German: Sternbild, Asterismus
• Spanish: asterismo, constelación

Translations

• Italian: asterismo
• Portuguese: asterismo
• Russian: астери́зм

Translations

• French: astérisme
• German: Asterism
• Italian: asterismo
• Russian: астери́зм
• Spanish: asterismo

Translations

• French: astérisme
• German: Asterismus
• Italian: asterismo
• Russian: астери́зм
• Spanish: asterismo

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