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The word "asterism" is given to a grouping of stars that is not on the "official" list of 88 constellations maintained by the International Astronomical Union. Also - an asterism is PART of a constellation - like Orion's Belt, The Big Dipper, or a pattern made from the stars of other constellations, like The Summer Triangle, etc.

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Q: What is the difference between an asterisms and a constellation?
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What are patterns in the sky called?

A pattern of stars in the sky is often called a Constellation.


What are the group of stars that forms patterns called?

They are called "asterisms". Sometimes the word "constellation" is also used, though a constellation is not, strictly speaking, the pattern of stars; rather, it is defined by coordinate limits.


What are patterns of stars in the sky called?

These patterns are called "Constellation's". This is a common misconception. These patterns are actually called asterisms.


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What is the difference between asterism and constellations?

This is a very good question - the difference between an asterism and constellation is this: a constellation is a pattern of stars that identifies a complete object, animal or character. An asterism is a pattern of stars that is NOT a constellation.


What is an example of an asterism?

The 'Big Dipper', 'Little Dipper', 'Northern Cross', 'Summer Triangle', Orion's belt, and the 'teapot' of Sagittarius are asterisms ... instantly recognizable patterns of stars that are either fractions of a constellation, or assemblages of stars 'borrowed' from more than one constellation.


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What is it called when Lots of stars form a figure?

There are 88 official "constellations" as recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Arrangements or patterns of stars other than the official 88 are called "asterisms". For example, there is no constellation called the Big Dipper; what we call the Big Dipper is an asterism, a subset of stars in the constellation Ursa Major.


What is A familiar pattern of stars but not a constellation.?

There are 88 "official" constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. There are hundreds of additional star patterns that aren't "official"; these are called "asterisms". For example, the Big Dipper isn't one of the IAU's official constellations; it is part of the constellation "Ursa Major". So the Big Dipper is an asterism.


A group of stars lined up in a recognizeable pattern?

Group of stars forming patterns in the sky is called constellation. However, not every group of stars is a constellation. The constellations standardized and given names long ago. The grouping is based entirely on the apparent arrangement of the stars from earth.