the outcome depends on the configuration of influences at the time
a configuration of stars as seen from the earth
Microsoft Computer Dictionary
n. In communications, a pattern representing the possible states of a carrier wave, each of which is associated with a particular bit combination. A constellation shows the number of states that can be recognized as unique changes in a communications signal and thus the maximum number of bits that can be encoded in a single change (equivalent to 1 baud, or one event). See the illustration.