"asterism" | Definition and Related Words

Noun

(mineralogy) a star-shaped figure with six rays that is seen in some crystal structures under reflected or transmitted light (synset 113904467)
referred to in: mineralogy - the branch of geology that studies minerals: their structure and properties and the ways of distinguishing them

is a type of: star - a plane figure with 5 or more points; often used as an emblem
(astronomy) a cluster of stars (or a small constellation) (synset 109231384)
referred to in: astronomy, uranology - the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole

is a type of: natural object - an object occurring naturally; not made by man
specific instances:
- big dipper, charles's wain, dipper, plough, wagon, wain - a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major
- dipper, little dipper - a cluster of seven stars in Ursa Minor; at the end of the dipper's handle is Polaris
belongs to: constellation - a configuration of stars as seen from the earth