asterism

American  

[as-tuh-riz-uhm] / ˈæs təˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. Astronomy.

   1. a group of stars.

   2. a constellation.

2. Mineralogy. a property of some crystallized minerals of showing a starlike luminous figure in transmitted light or, in a cabochon-cut stone, by reflected light.

3. three asterisks ( or ) printed to draw attention to a passage it precedes.

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asterism British  

/ ˈæstəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. three asterisks arranged in a triangle ( or ), to draw attention to the text that follows

2. a starlike effect seen in some minerals and gemstones when viewed by reflected or transmitted light

3. a cluster of stars, which may be a subset or a superset of a constellation

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Other Word Forms

• asterismal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of asterism

1590–1600; < Greek asterism ( ós ) a marking with stars. See asterisk, -ism

Explanation

An asterism is a pattern of stars in the dark night sky. One of the most familiar asterisms in the Northern Hemisphere is the Big Dipper, within the constellation Ursa Major. Like constellations, asterisms are arrangements of stars that form distinct shapes when viewed from Earth. But while constellations are officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union, asterisms can be any pattern of stars at all. Orion is a constellation, but Orion's Belt, which cuts across the middle of it, is an asterism. The Greek root of asterism is aster, "star." The word also refers to a luminous, starlike effect seen in certain gemstones like sapphires, and to a triangular print symbol of three asterisks (⁂), which resemble stars.

Example Sentences

Along with Sirius and Procyon, which star in Orion makes up the third star in the Winter Triangle asterism?

From Slate • Oct. 5, 2023

Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is one of the most prominent northern constellations, and its main claim to fame is that it contains the Big Dipper, a highly recognizable asterism.

From National Geographic • Aug. 23, 2023

This large constellation in the northern sky is conspicuous thanks to its attachment to the neighboring constellation Pegasus and that constellation’s Great Square asterism.

From National Geographic • Aug. 23, 2023

The moon crosses through asterism of Sagittarius on Sept. 14.

From Washington Post • Aug. 28, 2021

“For ten points, Sunny Brook, what constellation has an asterism made up of Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka?”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein