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 May 27, 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
- May 27
- Highest at 9 pm
- July 11
- 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 May 27 and at 9 pm around July 11. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 8:40 a.m. |
| February 15 | 6:40 a.m. |
| March 15 | 4:50 a.m. |
| April 15 | 2:40 a.m. |
| May 15 | 12:50 a.m. |
| June 15 | 10:40 p.m. |
| July 15 | 8:40 p.m. |
| August 15 | 6:40 p.m. |
| September 15 | 4:40 p.m. |
| October 15 | 2:40 p.m. |
| November 15 | 12:40 p.m. |
| December 15 | 10:40 a.m. |
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 May 27, 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 May 27 and at 9 pm around July 11. 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.