Norma constellation
Norma (the Carpenter's Square) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in July. Its brightest star is γ2 Normae (magnitude 4.02). Norma covers 165 square degrees and is the 74th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Norma
Facts
| Latin name | Norma (genitive: Normae) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Nor |
| Meaning | the Carpenter's Square |
| Area | 165 square degrees (74th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 16.0 h, declination −52° |
| Visible from | latitudes 30° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | July (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | γ2 Normae |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 26 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Ara, Circinus, Lupus, Scorpius, Triangulum Australe |
How to find Norma
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) Norma never rises completely above the horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 73° above the horizon. The months before and after (June and August) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Norma borders Ara, Circinus, Lupus, Scorpius and Triangulum Australe.
Stars of Norma
Norma has 26 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | γ2 Normae | 4.02 | G8III | — |
| — | ε Normae | 4.47 | B4V | — |
Printable Norma map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Norma figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Norma is introduced by the French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, who charted the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope in 1751–52. Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Norma
What is the brightest star in Norma?
γ2 Normae, at magnitude 4.02.
When can you see Norma?
Norma is best seen in the evening in July. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 30° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Norma?
26 stars in Norma are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; none of them has an official IAU name.
What does Norma mean?
Norma means “the Carpenter's Square” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Nor and the genitive, used in star names such as γ2 Normae, is Normae.
