Fresh Batch #2: Constellations, Asterisms, Lustrums

By Dylan Saccoccio

What’s the difference between a constellation, an asterism, and a lustrum?

Some allude to the 72 constellations, asterisms, or lustrums of Pliny being the origin of the 72 conspirators against Osiris, or the 72 disciples of Jesus. Pliny (Born 23 AD; died 79 AD) divided the circle of Heaven into 72 constellations or lustrums, which seems to have a microcosm and macrocosm relationship. A lustrum is a period of 5 years, 72 x 5 = 360, dividing the sky into 72 portions of 5 degrees each.

I’m not satisfied with the explanation that these are asterisms as Pliny uses the word ‘signs’ (unless I’m mistaken). This doesn’t concern the purpose of my work, so I’m not going to delve deeper into it unless I come across another culture that shares this idea of 72 constellations, which doesn’t make sense and needs to be flushed out, as the year was changed to 365.25 days almost a century before Pliny was born during the reign of Julius Cæsar, which lends itself to being divided by 73, not 72.

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