Asterism

[æstәrizm]

(noun.) (astronomy) a cluster of stars (or a small constellation).

(noun.) (mineralogy) a star-shaped figure with six rays that is seen in some crystal structures under reflected or transmitted light.

Edited by Laurence--From WordNet

(n.) A constellation.

(n.) A small cluster of stars.

(n.) An asterisk, or mark of reference.

(n.) Three asterisks placed in this manner, /, to direct attention to a particular passage.

(n.) An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.

Inputed by Lewis