Name a Star in the Norma Constellation

The southern hemisphere constellation Norma (the carpenter’s square) is one of the constellations named for navigational equipment by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. He originally called the constellation “l’Equerre et la Regle.” The ruler, level and square originally were comprised of Ara (the Altar) and Lupus (the Wolf), associated with Circinus, the compass, on the north, adjoining the two forefeet of the Centaur. Now this small area is simply called Norma, translating to “normal” in Latin by most astronomers, which refers to the right triangle.  

Although it is a small constellation, there are several interesting stars and deep-sky objects located in Norma. It can be seen throughout the southern hemisphere and as far north as India and Mexico.  The constellations that share a border with Norma are Ara, Circinus, Lupus, Scorpius, and Triangulum Australe. Like some other small southern constellations, the stars once assigned to Norma are now designated to other constellations. The brightest object in Norma is a double star called “Gamma Normae”. It is composed of a yellow giant star that orbits forever with a yellow-white supergiant. With a magnitude of 4, it can be observed with the naked eye, but to see the details more closely, some magnification is preferable.  The second brightest “star” in Norma is another binary system called “Epsilon Normae”. This star system is slightly dimmer, with a magnitude of 4.5.  

Perhaps the most famous object in Norma is a stunning 14 magnitude bipolar planetary nebula called the “Ant Nebula”. This striking nebula is well named, as the two bright lobes look like the segments of an ant. It was discovered in 1922 by American astronomer Donald Howard Menzel. Astronomer Harlow Shapley discovered another beautiful object in 1936. The Fine Ring Nebula shines at 12.6 magnitude. It makes a desirable target for photographers because it appears as a near perfect circle surrounding a 14-magnitude white dwarf. 

Norma is a favorite constellation to name a star for carpenters, architects, and navigators living south of the equator. As a 45th birthday gift idea, you could buy a star gift at www.starregistry.com for a loved one and have their name recorded here for eternity. International Star Registry records stars named in Norma, and all of the constellations, in the only permanent published catalog of named stars in the world.

Symbol : Nor  

Right Ascension : 04:15  

Declination : -50  

Diameter (°) : 8  

Area (square °): 165  

Opposition : May 27  

Size Rank : 74th  

Brightness Rank : 80th  

Genitive : Normae

In conclusion, Norma is a small constellation that contains some beautiful objects. You cannot see it from most of the northern hemisphere, but if you live in the southern hemisphere, it is well worth seeing.