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Designation system · R

Variable-Star Designation

The scheme for naming variable stars, formalised in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars. Within each constellation the first variables take the letters R through Z, then two-letter combinations RR through ZZ and AA through QZ, and thereafter V335, V336, and so on — a system that grew from a handful of early discoveries into a labelling scheme for tens of thousands of variables.

Highlights

  • R, S, T… then RR… then V335 onward, per constellation

Across the catalogue layer

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • IAUInternational Astronomical Union

    Official naming, definitions, constellation boundaries, and astronomical nomenclature.