�������������� Star Database Notations used by Astronomers

 

 

Notation

 

Other Common Notations

Origin

Content, & Order (if any)

Date(s)

Greek Letters

 

Bayer

Johann Bayer - in his star

atlas Uranometria

Stars - in (generally) descending brightness in each Constellation

1603

Numbers

 

Flamsteed #

Astronomers who published

John Flamsteed's work

Stars - west-to-east (increasing RA) in each Constellation

1725

HN#

 

H#

William Herschel

"Nebulous objects"

1786 & 1789

HJ#

 

H#, h#

John Herschel

Nebulae and Star Clusters

1833 & 1847

HD#

 

 

Henry Draper

Stars (spectral classifications)

1918 - 1924

Σ####

 

�####, STF#### (Struve The Father)

F. G. Wilhelm Struve

("the Father")

Double stars in the

northern hemisphere

1827, 1837, 1875, & 1878

OΣ###

 

O�### or ��###��������������������� or STT###

Otto Wilhelm Struve

("the Son")

Double Stars - Pulkovo Catalog

1866

OΣΣ###

 

O��### or ���###����������������� or STS###

Otto Wilhelm Struve

("the Son's Supplements")

Double Stars- Pulkovo Supplements

1874, 1875, & 1878

R through ZZ

 

 

Friedrich W. A. Argelander

Variable Stars in each Constellation

1862

ADS#

 

 

R. G. Aitken's Double Star Catalog

Double stars within 120

deg of the North Pole

1932

SAO#

 

 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog -

K. L. Haramundanis

Stars

1966

 

 

Created by Ted Kurkowski

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