8 December 2008 12:33
- a group of stars that create a recognizable pattern
- asterisms are not the same as the 88 standard constellations - some make up a part of the constellation, while some are made up of stars from multiple constellations
- the Big Dipper is the most well-known asterism - it is part of the constellation Ursa Major
- the Summer Triangle of Altair, Deneb, and Vega is made up of the brightest stars in three different constellations - Aquila, Cygnus, and Lyra
- the Coathanger (also known as Ronchi's Cluster) in the constellation Vulpecula is a popular and very striking asterism when viewed in binoculars or a small telescope
- while the 88 official constellations are the product of the International Astronomy Union, no organization is responsible for cataloging asterisms
- author Phil Harrington started a list of asterisms in his book Touring the Universe through Binoculars that is now called the STAR list (small telescope asterism roster)
