Asterism (typography)

Asterism (typography)
In UnicodeU+2042 ASTERISM
Different from
Different fromU+0B83 TAMIL SIGN VISARGA
U+2234 THEREFORE
U+2235 BECAUSE

In typography, an asterism, , is a typographic symbol consisting of three asterisks placed in a triangle, which is used for a variety of purposes. The name originates from the astronomical term for a group of stars.

The asterism was originally used as a type of dinkus in typography, though increasingly rarely. It can also be used to mean "untitled" or author or title withheld – as seen, for example, in some editions of Album for the Young by composer Robert Schumann ( 21, 26, and 30).

In meteorology, an asterism in a station model plot indicates moderate snowfall.