in Astronomy, a system of stars seen near one another in the heavens. The stars are distinguished by their situation and position in respect to each other; and they are distributed into asterisms or constellations by astronomers, who, for the better distinguishing them, reduce the constellations to the forms of animals, or give them the names of remarkable personages.

The division of the stars by images and figures is of great antiquity, and seems to be as old as astronomy itself; for in the Book of Job (which is undoubtedly as old as the time of Moses) Orion, Arcturus, Mazzaroth, and the Pleiades are mentioned; and the names of many of the constellations are met with in Homer and Hesiod. See Astronomy.