Norma (constellation)
constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere
The constellation Norma is a small group of stars in the southern hemisphere between Scorpius and Centaurus. Its name is Latin for normal and can mean a right angle. The constellation may be pictured as a ruler, a carpenter's square, a set square, or a level.
| Constellation | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | Nor |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Normae |
| Pronunciation | /ˈnɔrmə/, genitive /ˈnɔrmiː/ |
| Symbolism | the Normal |
| Right ascension | 16.05 |
| Declination | −52.01 |
| Quadrant | SQ3 |
| Area | 165 sq. deg. (74th) |
| Main stars | 2 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 13 |
| Stars with planets | 4 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 0 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 0 |
| Brightest star | γ2 Nor (4.01m) |
| Messier objects | 0 |
| Meteor showers | Gamma Normids |
| Bordering constellations | Scorpius Lupus Circinus Triangulum Australe Ara |
| Visible at latitudes between +30° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July. | |
Notable features
changeStars
changeThe Milky Way passes through Norma.
Deep-sky objects
changeBecause it is on the Milky Way, this constellation contains many deep sky objects. Galaxy NGC 6087 is a highly visible one.
Shapley 1 is a planetary nebula about 1,000 lightyears away from Earth.
References
change- Burnham, Robert Jr. (1978) [1966]. Burnham's Celestial Handbook: An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System, v.2. General Publishing Company, Ltd., Toronto. ISBN 0-486-23568-8.
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
Other websites
change- Norma on Robin Gatter's site Archived 2006-11-18 at the Wayback Machine
- Star Tales – Norma
- Norma on Richard Dibon-Smith's site
- Peoria Astronomical Society: Norma Archived 2006-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
- The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Norma
