Norma, the Square (and Rule) (Nor)

(NOR-muh)

The Southern constellation of Norma, the Square (and Rule), is best viewed in Summer during the month of July. It's brightest star is Gamma2 Normae at magnitude 4.01. The boundary of the Norma constellation contains 4 stars that host known exoplanets.

Red supergiant HD 143183 is the 4th largest known star in the universe at 1,500 times the size of the Sun.

1. Pronunciation:
2. NOR-muh

1. Meaning:
2. Square (and Rule)

1. Genitive:
2. Normae

1. Abbreviation:
2. Nor

1. Constellation Family:
2. LaCaille

1. Hemisphere:
2. Southern

1. Quadrant:
2. SQ3

1. Best viewing month*:
2. July

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 16h 3m

1. Declination (avg):
2. -52° 43'

1. Brightest star:
2. Gamma2 Normae (4.01)

1. Stars with planets:
2. 4

1. X-ray stars:
2. 9 (3 binaries) stars

1. Messier catalog objects:
2. |

Brightest Stars in Norma

The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Norma by magnitude.

1. Star
2. Magnitude
3. Spectral class

1. Gamma Normae (γ² Nor)
2. 4.01
3. G8III

1. Epsilon Normae (ε Nor)
2. 4.46
3. B4V

1. Iota Normae (ι Nor)
2. 4.63
3. A7IV

1. Eta Normae (η Nor)
2. 4.65
3. G8III

1. Delta Normae (δ Nor)
2. 4.73
3. Am

1. Mu Normae (μ Nor)
2. 4.91
3. B0Ia

1. Kappa Normae (κ Nor)
2. 4.95
3. G4III

1. Gamma Normae (γ¹ Nor)
2. 4.97
3. F9Ia

1. Theta Normae (θ Nor)
2. 5.13
3. B8V

1. HD 147152
2. 5.32
3. B6IV

Star Clusters in Norma

The most notable and easy-to-find star clusters in the constellation Norma . Also see all star clusters.

1. Star cluster
2. Catalog #
3. Cluster type

1. ESO 224-8
3. globular

1. NGC 5946
3. globular

1. NGC 6031
3. open

1. NGC 6087
3. open

1. S Norma Cluster
2. C89
3. open

Nebulae in Norma

Notable and easy-to-find nebulae in the constellation Norma. Also see all nebulae.

1. Nebula name
2. Catalog #
3. Nebula type

1. Ant Nebula
3. planetary

1. Fine Ring Nebula
3. planetary

Neutron Stars in Norma

These are the most well-known neutron stars in the constellation Norma. Although neutron stars cannot be seen in any amateur telescope, they are at the center of many supernova remnant nebulae, which can be seen. Also see all neutron stars.

1. Neutron star
3. Type

1. RCW 103
3. radio-quiet neutron star

Black Holes in Norma

These are the most well-known smaller (non-supermassive) black holes in the constellation Norma. Although black holes cannot be seen directly, the smaller ones are at the center of some star clusters and supernova remnant nebulae, which can be seen. Supermassive black holes are at the center of most galaxies, such as Sagittarius A* at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Also see all black holes.

1. Black hole
3. Type

1. V381 Nor
3. stellar

* Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).