Designations of astronomical objects are often confusing.Astronomical designations (also called ObjectIdentifiers) have beencollected and published by Lortet and collaborators inDictionaries of Nomenclature of Celestial Objects outside the solar system (Biblio).ThisInfo service is the electronic look-up version of theDictionary which is updated on a regular basis;it provides full references and usages about 25832 different acronyms.
To find out the meaning of specific acronyms or related references,choose and fill the form below; the words you type in the boxareanded, i.e. the acronyms matchingall wordswill be displayed. |
How to refer to a source or designate a new oneis a short document from the Task Group on Astronomical Designations ofIAU Commission B2which provides basic advices in this topic.A more extensiveSpecifications concerning designations forastronomical radiation sources outside the solar systemdocument gives more complete definitions and examples.
| If you are preparing a new catalogue,we wish to encourage toregister for an acronym,preferablybefore your new objects become referenced (even informally). |
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