Heliaster was named by Hollande and Enjumet (1960) [The important parts of the cortical shell are five hollow rods radiating from a centre located close to the axoplast. These rods show the same distribution pattern as those of a pentactin sponge spicule: four rods are located in the same plane, the fifth is in a perpendicular plane. The first four rods have branchs which make, on each side of the nucleus, two siliceous arches linked by some spines. Secondary spines arise from the siliceous arches. These 6 to 12 radial spines (number depending upon the age of the protist) are cylindrical and thin. In the vicinity of the microsphere, they are sinuous and often thorny. Cortical shell lattice and covered with the same thorns as the spines. Axoplast big, spherical, or ovoid, enveloped with the nuclear dome by an important ergastoplasmic area. In French. Translation by J.P.C.]]. It was considered monophyletic by Hollande and Enjumet (1960).

It was assigned to Radiolaria by Hollande and Enjumet (1960).