Asterism (typography)

For other uses, see Asterism.
⁂
Asterism (typography)
In UnicodeU+2042 ⁂ ASTERISM
Different from
Different fromU+0B83 ஃ 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.[1]

The asterism was originally used as a type of dinkus in typography, though increasingly rarely.[2] 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).[3] In meteorology, an asterism in a station model indicates moderate snowfall.[4][5]

  1. ^ From the Greek astēr (star) Alexander Humez, Nicholas D. Humez (2008). On the Dot: The Speck That Changed the World, p. 72 & 186n. ISBN 978-0-19-532499-0.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference D13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Taruskin, Richard (2005). The Oxford history of western music, Volume 3, p. 311. ISBN 978-0-19-516979-9.
  4. ^ Ahrens, C. Donald (2011). Essentials of meteorology: an invitation to the atmosphere (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. p. 461. ISBN 9780840049339. OCLC 651905769.
  5. ^ "Station Model Information for Weather Observations". National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved 2019-07-16.