Encyclopedia > Norma (constellation)
Norma (constellation)
| Norma | |
larger image | |
| Abbreviation | Nor |
| Genitive | Normae |
| Meaning in English | the Level |
| Right ascension | 16.05h |
| Declination | -52.01° |
| Visible to latitude | Between 30° and -90° |
| On meridian | 9 p.m., July 5 |
| Area - Total | Ranked 74th 165 sq. deg. |
| Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3 | 0 |
| Brightest star - Apparent magnitude | γ2 Nor 4,0 |
| Meteor showers | Gamma Normids |
| Bordering constellations | |
Norma (the Level) is a small and inconspicuous constellation of the southern hemisphere, near Scorpius, on the Milky Way.
Norma has no α or β star; its brightest star, γ2 Normae, is only of fourth magnitude.
Due to its location on the Milky Way, this constellation contains many deep sky objects. The brightest of the open clusters in the constellation is NGC 6087, in the northwestern corner.
This constellation was named by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille during his stay at the Cape of Good Hope from 1751 to 1752. He originally called it Norma et Regula (the level and the square), referring to the carpenter's tools. The constellation had previously been called the Southern Triangle (no relation to Triangulum Australe) and Quadrans Euclidis (Euclid's square).
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