Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/asterism/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [A](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a/) / asterism

# asterism

noun (asterism, asterisms)

«asterism» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (space) A pattern of stars that people recognise but which is not one of the 88 official constellations, like the Plough (Big Dipper).
2. A group of three asterisks (⁂) used in printing.

### In the lessons

In space lessons: the Plough (UK) or Big Dipper (US) is an asterism inside Ursa Major; the Southern Cross area and the Summer Triangle are other examples. Phrases: «a famous asterism».

### Examples

- The Big Dipper is an asterism, not a constellation.
- The Summer Triangle is an asterism of three bright stars.
- We spotted the Plough asterism from the garden.
- An asterism can include stars from several constellations.
- Ancient sailors used asterisms to find north.
- The book used an asterism to split the chapter.

### Note

Countable. Trap: a constellation is an official sky area; an asterism is a familiar star pattern.