Norma (constellation)
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.
 Click for larger image | |
| List of stars in Norma | |
| Abbreviation: | Nor |
| Genitive: | Normae |
| Symbology: | |
| Right ascension: | 16.05 h |
| Declination: | −52.01° |
| Area: | 165 sq. deg. (74th) |
| Main stars: | 2 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars: | 13 |
| Stars known to have planets: | 4 |
| Bright stars: | 0 |
| Nearby stars: | 0 |
| Brightest star: | γ2 Nor (4.01m) |
| Nearest star: | HD 145417 ( ly) |
| 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
Stars
The Milky Way passes through Norma.
Deep-sky objects
Because 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.
Norma (constellation) Media
The constellation Norma as it can be seen by the naked eye
The Ant Nebula, Mz 3, viewed with the Hubble Space Telescope
Galaxies of the Norma Cluster (yellow) in a 0.5° x 0.5° field
Diagram of the Milky Way's spiral arms
References
- 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
- 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
