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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• asterismal adjective

Etymology

Origin of asterism

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

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