Asterism and Constellation Distinction

An asterism is a recognizable pattern of stars within a single constellation or across multiple constellations, often styled as a familiar shape like a city, animal, or symbol. A constellation is an officially recognized group of stars that form a larger pattern with defined boundaries, representing figures or mythological characters. While constellations are formal, based on international agreements, asterisms are informal and can include parts of one or more constellations. For example, the Big Dipper is an asterism within the constellation Ursa Major.