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Variable star designation

Variable stars are named using a variation on the Bayer designation format of Identifier . In previous centuries few variable stars were known, so it seemed reasonable to use the letters of the Roman alphabet, starting from the letter R so as to avoid confusion with letter spectral types. By 1836, even the letter S had only been used in one constellation, Serpens. Unfortunately the advent of photography made the number of variables pile up quickly and variable star names soon fell into the Bayer trap of reaching the end of the alphabet while still having stars to name. After two subsequent supplementary double-lettering systems hit similar limits, numbers were finally introduced.

The current naming system is:

Sample designations are R Coronae Borealis, YY Geminorum, and V348 Sagitarii.