Stars, alternatively, take one on (5)
I believe the answer is:
orion
'stars' is the definition.
(Orion is a constellation)
'alternatively take one on' is the wordplay.
'alternatively' becomes 'or'.
'take' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'or'+'i'+'on'='ORION'
(Other definitions for orion that I've seen before include "Constellation in the form of a belt" , "Group in heaven" , "Constellation on the celestial equator -- giant hunter of Greek mythology" , "Greek hunter became a constellation" , "Major constellation" .)