(astronomical object designators based on name of survey)
Astronomical objects are often designated by a catalog indicator
(an abbreviation) followed either by a number, sometimes indicating the
order of discovery, or by a J designator indicating position within the
celestial sphere.
Each survey, or discovery mission/project in effect produces
a catalog,
for which these indicators of its discovered objects
reveal the mission that found them.
See examples in the
"Catalogs/Surveys table".
Extra-solar planet designations are generally are built
on the star's designation, which are often in this form.
An additional final lower-case letter, e.g., b, c, etc., indicates
one of its planets.
Multi-star systems similarly use a star designation with an
additional final upper-case letter, A, B, etc., to indicate which star.