Norma constellation
Norma is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the carpenter's square. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 27 May, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 35°N to 90°S.
Norma at a glance
- Represents
- the carpenter's square
- Highest at midnight
- 27 May
- Highest at 9 pm
- 11 July
- Seen whole from
- 35°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 4 stars
- Origin
- Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, 1750s
When to see Norma
Norma is highest in the sky at midnight around 27 May and at 9 pm around 11 July. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 8:40 AM |
| 15 February | 6:40 AM |
| 15 March | 4:50 AM |
| 15 April | 2:40 AM |
| 15 May | 12:50 AM |
| 15 June | 10:40 PM |
| 15 July | 8:40 PM |
| 15 August | 6:40 PM |
| 15 September | 4:40 PM |
| 15 October | 2:40 PM |
| 15 November | 12:40 PM |
| 15 December | 10:40 AM |
Where to look for Norma
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, only the northern stars of Norma rise, low above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Norma rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 27 May, 75° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Norma
None of the stars of Norma is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 4.
Norma in myth and history
The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Norma in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.
Constellations next to Norma
Find Norma in your sky
Questions about Norma
Norma is highest in the sky at midnight around 27 May and at 9 pm around 11 July. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Norma rises above the horizon from 35°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 42°N to 90°S.
Norma represents the carpenter's square. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille added Norma in the 1750s, after he mapped the southern sky from the Cape of Good Hope.