Asterism (astronomy) - Definition and Overview

For other meanings of asterism, see asterism.

In astronomy, an asterism is a recognized pattern of stars seen in Earth's sky. Asterisms are considered to be distinct from constellations, although the origin of most constellations is also a recognizable pattern of stars.

Examples of asterisms include:

• the Big Dipper in Ursa Major;
• the Little Dipper in Ursa Minor;
• the Teapot in Sagittarius,
• Orion's belt;
• the Summer Triangle (Deneb, Altair, and Vega, or α Cygni, Aquilae, and Lyrae);
• the Great Square of Pegasus (which includes α Andromedae);
• the Urn in Aquarius;
• the Sickle in Leo.

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