Star class
|
DS
|
V
|
RS
|
NS SL
|
WZ
|
Remarks
|
example
|
Base classes
|
Hypergiant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Luminosity class 0
|
R136a1
|
Super giant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Luminosity class I.
|
Betelgeuse
|
Bright giant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Luminosity class II
|
Sargas
|
Normal giant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Luminosity class III
|
Aldebaran
|
Sub giant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Luminosity class IV
|
Eta Cephei
|
Main sequence star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Luminosity class V, phase of stable hydrogen burning , longest phase with nuclear fusion
|
Sun
|
Subdwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Luminosity class VI or the prefix sd for sub-dwarf
|
US 708
|
White dwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
J
|
Luminosity class VII
|
Sirius B.
|
Neutron star |
- |
- |
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
Scorpius X-1
|
pulsar |
- |
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
Geminga
|
Brown dwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
no star because of insufficient mass
|
Teide 1
|
Main sequence stars
|
Red dwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
see also Flarestern
|
Proxima Centauri
|
Yellow dwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
Sun
|
Main sequence star of the spectral class O |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
Zeta Ophiuchi
|
Cool sub-dwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Low-metal stars, types sdM to sdG
|
Kapteyn's star
|
UV Ceti star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Subclass of the red dwarfs and eruptive mutable
|
UV Ceti
|
Gamma Doradus star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
young, pulsation-variable stars with spectral class F
|
Gamma Doradus
|
Pecular stars
|
Pecular star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
also called CP star, different metal frequency compared to normal stars
|
|
Extreme helium star |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Spectral class A or B
|
HD 124448
|
PV Telescopii star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
peculiar pulsation-variable stars with spectral class B, see also Ap star
|
PV Telescopii
|
At the star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Spectral class A
|
Sirius A
|
Ap star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Spectral class A or B
|
V364 Carinae
|
Alpha2 Canum Venaticorum Star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
peculiar rotationally variable stars
|
Alpha2 Canum Venaticorum
|
SX Arietis star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
peculiar rotationally variable stars
|
SX Arietis
|
Lambda Bootis star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Spectral class B to F
|
Lambda Bootis
|
Barium star |
J
|
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Spectral class G or K
|
Zeta Capricorni
|
Carbon star |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
La Superba
|
CEMP star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
high carbon content, low metal content
|
HD 196944
|
Mercury Manganese Star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
Elnath
|
Technetium star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
R Andromedae
|
Weak G-band star |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
Spectral class G or K
|
HD 165634
|
Classes with a giant star
|
Red supergiant |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Luminosity class I and belong to the pulsation-variable stars
|
Betelgeuse
|
Luminous blue changer |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Hypergiant
|
S Doradus
|
Blue hypergiant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
Cyg OB2-12
|
Yellow hypergiant |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
belong to the pulsation-variable stars
|
Rho Cassiopeiae
|
Red hypergiant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
NML Cygni
|
Wolf-Rayet star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
belong to the Eruptive Variable Stars
|
WR 102ka
|
Yellow giant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
Canopus
|
Blue giant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
Alnitak
|
Red giant |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
Aldebaran
|
Mira star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable red giants
|
Mira (star)
|
OH / IR star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Stage of development of a red giant
|
WX Piscium
|
Fixed OH / IR star |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
very late phase before the transition to the planetary nebula
|
|
AGB star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Stage of development of a red giant
|
|
Super terms and conditions star |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
massive red giants
|
|
Red Clump Star |
- |
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
Deneb Kaitos
|
Cepheids |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars
|
Delta Cephei
|
Anomalous Cepheids |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars
|
BL Bootis
|
RV Tauri star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Type II Cepheids: Pulsation-variable stars
|
RV Tauri
|
BL Herculis star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Type II Cepheids: Pulsation-variable stars
|
BL Herculis
|
W Virginis star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Type II Cepheids: Pulsation-variable stars
|
W Virginis
|
Ultra Long Period Cepheid |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars
|
BZ Tucanae
|
RR Lyrae star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars with spectral classes A to F
|
RR Lyrae
|
Alpha Cygni star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars
|
Deneb A (Alpha Cygni)
|
My Cephei stars |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
obsolete star class
|
Garnet star
|
Semi-regular variable star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
Garnet star
|
Slowly irregularly changing star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
U Antliae
|
R Coronae Borealis Star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Eruptive variable stars
|
R Coronae Borealis
|
DY Persei star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Eruptive variable stars - subclass of the RCB
|
DY Persei
|
RS Canum Venaticorum Star |
J
|
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Eruptive variable stars
|
RS Canum Venaticorum
|
FK Comae Berenices star |
- |
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Rotationally variable stars with spectral class G or K.
|
FK Comae Berenices
|
Colliding-Wind Binary |
J
|
- |
J
|
- |
-
|
-
|
Eta Carinae
|
Symbiotic star |
J
|
J
|
J
|
- |
-
|
Mutable with a red giant
|
R Aquarii
|
White dwarf as a compact object
|
ZZ Ceti star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
pulsating white dwarfs
|
ZZ Ceti
|
GW Virginis star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
pulsating white dwarfs
|
PG 1159-035
|
PG1159 star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
J
|
late phase of stellar evolution to white dwarf, not necessarily with pulsations
|
PG 1159-035
|
Cataclysmic Mutable |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Usually a binary star system with at least 1 white dwarf
|
|
AM Canum Venaticorum Star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Mutable
|
AM Canum Venaticorum
|
SW sextantis star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Variables (Red Dwarf and White Dwarf)
|
SW sextantis
|
nova |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Mutable
|
GK Persei
|
AM Herculis star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Variables (English Polars)
|
AM Herculis
|
DQ Herculis star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Variables (English Intermediate Polars)
|
DQ Herculis
|
Zwergnova (UG) |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Mutable
|
U Geminorum
|
SU Ursae Majoris Star (UGSU) |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Variables (subgroup of dwarf novae)
|
SU Ursae Majoris
|
SS Cygni Star (UGSS) |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Variables (subgroup of dwarf novae)
|
SS Cygni
|
Z Camelopardalis Star (UGZ) |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Cataclysmic Variables (subgroup of dwarf novae)
|
Z camelopardalis
|
Super soft X-ray source (SSS) |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Variable stars
|
QR Andromedae
|
EL Canum Venaticorum Star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
Eclipsing stars
|
EL Canum Venaticorum
|
White dwarf, neutron star or black hole as a compact object
|
X-ray binary star |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
Double star system with white dwarf, neutron star or black hole
|
|
Microblazar |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
X-ray binary star with neutron star or black hole
|
Cygnus X-1 (candidate)
|
Microquasar |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
X-ray binary star with neutron star or black hole
|
GRS 1915 + 105
|
Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient (SFXT) |
J
|
J
|
J
|
J
|
-
|
X-ray binary star with neutron star and supergiants
|
|
Symbiotic X-ray binary star (SyXB) |
J
|
J
|
J
|
J
|
-
|
X-ray binary star with neutron star and red giant
|
|
Ultra-compact X-ray binary star (UCXB) |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
J
|
X-ray binary star with neutron star and white dwarf or helium star
|
SWIFT J1756.9–2508
|
Röntgennova (SXT) |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
X-ray binary star with neutron star or black hole
|
A0620−00
|
Very faint X-ray binary star |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
X-ray binary star with neutron star or black hole
|
|
Ultra-luminous X-ray source (ULX) |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
an X-ray binary star with an involved black hole or pulsar is suspected
|
M82 X-2
|
Gamma ray double star |
J
|
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
Double star system with neutron star or black hole
|
Cygnus X-3
|
X-ray pulsar |
- |
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
Centaurus X-3
|
Gamma pulsar |
- |
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
Vela pulsar
|
Magnetar |
- |
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
SGR 1900 + 14
|
Soft gamma repeater |
- |
- |
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
SWIFT J1822.3-1606
|
Central Compact Objects in Supernova Remnants |
- |
- |
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
Cassiopeia A
|
Rotating radio transient (RRAT) |
- |
J
|
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
RRAT J1819-1458
|
X-ray Dim Isolated Neutron Stars |
- |
- |
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
RX J1856-3754
|
Black widow |
J
|
- |
- |
J
|
-
|
-
|
PSR B1957 + 20
|
Young stars
|
Protostar |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
early phase of stellar evolution
|
W75N (B) -VLA2
|
T-tauri star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
young eruptive variable stars
|
T Tauri
|
EXor |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
young eruptive variable stars
|
EX Lupi
|
Herbig-Ae / Be star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
young eruptive variable stars
|
HD 100546
|
UX Orionis star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
young eruptive variable stars
|
UX Orionis
|
FU Orionis star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
young eruptive variable stars
|
FU Orionis
|
Lindroos double star |
J
|
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Binary stars with primary component spectral class B, secondary component F to M
|
Regulus
|
Special classes
|
Compact star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
A burned-out object after the end of the nuclear fusion. These include white dwarfs, neutron stars and stellar black holes.
|
|
Interactive double star |
J
|
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
Hot sub-dwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Helium fusing stars, types sdB and sdO
|
KOI-55
|
Be star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Stars with spectral class B (or O / A)
|
EE Cephei
|
Gamma Cassiopeiae Analog |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Eruptive variable stars - subclass of the Be stars
|
Gamma Cassiopeiae
|
Lambda Eridani star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Subclass of the Be stars
|
Lambda Eridani
|
B [e] star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
also known as Bep star or BQ star
|
|
FS Canis Majoris Star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Eruptive variable stars - subclass of BQ resp. B [e] stars
|
FS Canis Majoris
|
Blue stragglers |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
40 Cancri
|
Yellow stragglers |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
Red stragglers |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
Runaway star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Stars at high speed
|
AE Aurigae
|
Fast runner |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Stars at high speed
|
61 Cygni
|
Hyper-fast runner |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Stars at high speed
|
US 708
|
Other variable classes
|
Pulsation-variable star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars
|
|
Delta Scuti star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars with spectral class A or F (main sequence and subgiants)
|
Delta Scuti
|
SX phoenix star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars, which are counted among the blue laggards
|
SX Phoenicis
|
Beta Cephei star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars with spectral class B (main sequence and subgiants)
|
Beta Cephei
|
Slowly pulsating B star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars with spectral class B (main sequence and subgiants) - also called SPB
|
Zeta Pegasi
|
Blue Large-Amplitude Pulsator (BLAP) |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Pulsation-variable stars
|
|
Heartbeat Star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Variable stars
|
KOI-54
|
Double period variable |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Eruptive variable stars
|
V393 Scorpii
|
Rotationally variable star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
BY-Draconis star |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Rotationally variable stars of the spectral classes G to M
|
Epsilon Eridani
|
Ellipsoid variable star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Rotationally variable stars
|
Spica
|
Eclipsing star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
Algolstern |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Eclipsing stars
|
Algol
|
HW Virginis star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Eclipsing stars
|
HW Virginis
|
W Ursae Majoris Star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Coverage variable stere
|
W Ursae Majoris
|
Beta Lyrae Star |
J
|
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Eclipsing stars
|
Beta Lyrae
|
Bright red nova |
- |
J
|
- |
- |
-
|
Cataclysmic variables, presumably created by star collisions
|
V838 monocerotis
|
Hypothetical classes
|
Black dwarf |
- |
- |
- |
- |
J
|
cold white dwarfs
|
|
Thorne Żytkow object |
- |
- |
J
|
J
|
-
|
hypothetical object: giant star with a neutron star in the center
|
HV 2112 (candidate)
|
Dark star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
Super massive star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
Iron star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
-
|
|
Gravastern |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Alternative explanation of the black hole phenomenon
|
|
Shell collapses |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Alternative explanation of the black hole phenomenon
|
|
Quark star |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
Hypothetical intermediate stage between neutron star and black hole
|
3C 58 (candidate)
|