Norma Constellation | Constellations In The Southern Hemisphere

NORMA CONSTELLATION – In this topic, we are going to know and learn about the southern constellation Norma, the Normal.

It is a constellation lies in the southern sky. Its name means “normal” in Latin, in a sense that it refers to a right angle, and represents a level, a set square, a rule, or a carpenter’s square.

The constellation was introduced by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the mid-18th century. He originally named it l’Equerre et la Regle, after a draughtsman’s set-square and rule.

As mentioned, it represents a carpenter’s square, used by carpenters on exploratory vessels. its name was Latinized to Norma et Regula, and eventually shortened to Norma.

Norma houses the Ant Nebula, open clusters NGC 6067 and S Normae Cluster, the Fine-Ring Nebula, the Norma Cluster, the bipolar planetary nebula Mz 1, NGC 6021, NGC 6167 and NGC 6152.

It is the 74th largest constellation and occupies an area of about 165 square degrees. It lies in SQ3, the third quadrant of the southern hemisphere.

Norma belongs to the Lacaille family, along with Antlia, Caelum, Circinus, Fornax, Horologium, Mensa, Microscopium, Octans, Pictor, Reticulum, Sculptor, and Telescopium.

Stars

Among the stars include: