Bayer Nomenclature

Bayer Nomenclature

German astronomer Johann Bayer introduced a system of naming stars in 1603. He used a system of naming stars in a constellation in descending order of brightness, using the Greek alphabet. The star is then named after a letter of the Greek alphabet. 

The brightest star in a constellation is named after the first letter of the Greek alphabet. For example, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra is called Alpha Lyra. (This star was named Vega by the ancients.)
 Similarly, the second brightest star in the constellation is called Beta Lyra.

 The third brightest star in the constellation Cassiopeia is called Gamma Cassiopeiae. Using this nomenclature, it is easy to remember the names of all the stars visible to the naked eye in the sky. This nomenclature is widely used in star atlases.