Constellations
Norma constellation
Norma, the Carpenter’s Square, was created by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the mid-18th century. It originally depicted a set square and ruler, the tools carpenters and stonemasons use to draw right angles and straight lines, so no myth is attached. The constellation is small and faint but lies right in the southern Milky Way between Scorpius, Lupus and Triangulum Australe. Observers in the southern hemisphere therefore find several fine open clusters here, such as NGC 6087. Its original Alpha and Beta stars were later transferred to Scorpius, so Norma today has no star designated Alpha. From Central Europe Norma never rises and stays out of sight all year.
The brightest stars in Norma
| Star | HIP | Magnitude | Distance | Light set off | Name this star |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| γ² Nor | 80000 | 4.01 | 129 light years | around 1900 | Name this star: γ² Nor |
| ε Nor | 80582 | 4.46 | 530 light years | around 1500 | Name this star: ε Nor |
| ι¹ Nor | 78662 | 4.63 | 128 light years | around 1900 | Name this star: ι¹ Nor |
| η Nor | 78639 | 4.65 | 219 light years | around 1810 | Name this star: η Nor |
| δ Nor | 78914 | 4.73 | 122 light years | around 1900 | Name this star: δ Nor |
| μ Nor | 81122 | 4.86 | — | — | Name this star: μ Nor |
| κ Nor | 79509 | 4.95 | 428 light years | around 1600 | Name this star: κ Nor |
| γ¹ Nor | 79790 | 4.97 | 1,469 light years | around AD 560 | Name this star: γ¹ Nor |
| θ Nor | 79653 | 5.13 | 386 light years | around 1640 | Name this star: θ Nor |
| HIP 80208 | 80208 | 5.32 | 463 light years | around 1560 | Name this star: HIP 80208 |
| HIP 80782 | 80782 | 5.35 | 1,822 light years | around AD 200 | Name this star: HIP 80782 |
| HIP 76618 | 76618 | 5.43 | 409 light years | around 1620 | Name this star: HIP 76618 |
| λ Nor | 79963 | 5.44 | 349 light years | around 1680 | Name this star: λ Nor |
| HIP 79754 | 79754 | 5.45 | 775 light years | around 1250 | Name this star: HIP 79754 |
| ι² Nor | 79153 | 5.57 | 280 light years | around 1750 | Name this star: ι² Nor |
Distances from the Hipparcos catalogue. For very distant stars they are uncertain – the year the light set off is therefore only a rough guide.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see the Norma constellation?
Norma is a southern constellation and never rises as seen from Central Europe. You can still name a star in it – it then shines for people in the southern hemisphere.
What is the brightest star in Norma?
The brightest star in Norma is γ² Nor with an apparent magnitude of 4.01, about 129 light years away.
Can I name a star in Norma?
Yes – for free at Sternschenker. Our catalogue contains 44 naked-eye stars in Norma. Pick one, give it a name and download your certificate as a PDF. The name is symbolic and not recognised by the IAU.
Which star will it be?
The sky is waiting. Naming your star takes about two minutes.
Name a star in Norma