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Bayer Designation

αAlpha ιIota ρRho
βBeta κKappa σSigma
γGamma λLambda τTau
δDelta μMu υUpsilon
εEpsilon νNu φPhi
ζZeta ξXi χChi
ηEta οOmicron ψPsi
θTheta πPi ωOmega

The twenty-four letters of the Greek alphabet

Probably the best known system of stellar designation, introduced by Johann Bayer in 1603. Under this system, stars are identified by Greek letters, followed by the genitive form of the constellation's name (for example, 'Alpha Centauri' or 'Tau Ceti'). Greek letters are usually applied in order of brightness, so the Alpha star is typically (but by no means always) the brightest in a constellation.

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