Asterismi

Asterisms are small, distinctive patterns of stars that are not part of any of the 88 official constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. These patterns are often named after their apparent shapes or the mythological figures they resemble. Asterisms can be found within constellations or span across multiple constellations. Some well-known asterisms include the Big Dipper, which is part of the constellation Ursa Major, and the Summer Triangle, which is formed by the stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair from the constellations Lyra, Cygnus, and Aquila, respectively. Asterisms are popular among amateur astronomers for their ease of identification and their role in navigating the night sky. They are often used in star charts and planetarium software to help locate other celestial objects.