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.

Norma
Constellation
Norma
AbbreviationNor
GenitiveNormae
Pronunciation/ˈnɔrmə/, genitive /ˈnɔrmiː/
Symbolismthe Normal
Right ascension16.05
Declination−52.01
QuadrantSQ3
Area165 sq. deg. (74th)
Main stars2
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
13
Stars with planets4
Stars brighter than 3.00m0
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)0
Brightest starγ2 Nor (4.01m)
Messier objects0
Meteor showersGamma 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

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The Milky Way passes through Norma.

Deep-sky objects

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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.

References

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  • 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

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