Map markings on stellar charts

[DarkLane]

Hi, could someone explain to me what the greek symbols on stellar maps are for? Here´s an example:  Spica is denoted with an aleph, and the symbols continue through the constellation.  I can´t find much info on them because I´m not sure what I´m searching for. 

[Peter_D]

It is a way of naming and (usually) classifying the brighter stars in a constellation. The brightest star in the constellation of Virgo is called Alpha Virginis (Spica). As you can see, it is not always an accurate way of classifying the brightest stars in a constellation: Beta Virginis is not the second brightest star in Virgo.

[Oldfort]

The greek letters were assigned by Johan Bayer in 1603, in his star atlas Uranometria.  There is more info on Wikipedia under "Bayer designation".

Edited July 19, 2019 by Oldfort

[DarkLane]

Thanks, I'll have a read on Wikipedia.  For a lark I looked up whether I could get a copy and I'll be damned, sure enough, you can buy a replica on Amazon! Don't you love the internet?
 

Uranometira Vranometria Asterismorum Continens Expressa

 

ps. Delivered!

Edited July 22, 2019 by DarkLane